Butch Wilmore - Elon Musk’s Mars Mission, a $7 Million Space Suit and 464 Days in Space (Video)

In this 12 March 2026 published video, host Shawn Ryan talks with Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore was raised in Tennessee, where an early fascination with aviation, engineering, and disciplined teamwork set the course for his career. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering from Tennessee Technological University, along with a master’s degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee. Before NASA, Wilmore served as a U.S. Navy aviator, test pilot, and squadron officer, accumulating more than 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings in tactical jet aircraft.

Wilmore flew A-7E and F/A-18 aircraft during four operational deployments aboard the USS Forrestal, Kennedy, Enterprise, and Eisenhower. He completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm and also flew in support of Desert Shield, Southern Watch, and NATO operations over Bosnia. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, he contributed to the early development and carrier certification of the T-45 jet trainer, experience that proved critical to his later astronaut duties.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000, Wilmore flew three space missions totaling 464 days in space. He piloted STS-129 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009, delivering critical hardware to the ISS. In 2014–2015, he launched aboard a Russian Soyuz as part of Expedition 41, later assuming command of Expedition 42, spending 167 days in orbit and conducting four spacewalks. Most recently, he commanded Boeing Starliner’s first crewed flight in 2024; following an uncrewed return decision, he completed a long-duration ISS mission and returned to Earth in March 2025 aboard SpaceX Crew-9.

Wilmore retired from NASA in July 2025 after 25 years with the agency, one of the few astronauts to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, Starliner, and Crew Dragon. He is married to Deanna, with whom he has two daughters, and is known for steady leadership, deep technical skill, faith, and continued commitment to mentorship and STEM outreach.

https://youtu.be/XClV8EH7jDE

00:00 Meeting Butch Wilmore
05:46 Leadership Across Missions
07:51 Spaceflown Gifts & Hidden Tech
20:39 Survival Training
24:23 Family Mementos in Space
26:58 Weapons & Recovery Planning
29:47 Tennessee Roots
37:57 Path Into Aviation
42:02 Choosing the Navy & Boot Camp
44:54 First Jet Assignment
49:12 Low-Level Bombing & Carrier Landings
01:00:29 Jet Training & Combat Prep
01:03:55 First Night Combat Mission
01:15:34 Kill Box Operations
01:19:17 Solo Strike Under Pressure
01:23:15 Carrier Life & Refueling Stack
01:24:55 Top Gun Purpose
01:29:42 Transition from Navy to NASA
01:31:35 Astronaut Selection Process
01:39:09 Shuttle Training
01:42:26 First Launch to Space
01:50:11 Building the ISS
01:55:00 First Spacewalk Experience
02:03:28 Why Mars Is Difficult
02:09:54 NASA Safety Culture
02:12:20 Starliner Mission Goals
02:22:21 Thruster Failures Near Docking
02:29:33 Manual Docking Under Pressure
02:41:21 Docking Success & Extended Stay
02:46:24 Helium Leaks & Launch Decisions
02:56:23 286 Days in Space Logistics
03:01:31 Life on the ISS
03:02:54 Effects on the Human Body
03:09:00 Staying Connected Through Faith
03:12:25 Return Plan Mindset
03:20:44 Message of the Book
03:23:10 Final Reflections & Family Legacy