CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — UPDATE (June 6): Barry Wilmore is officially at the International Space Station after his capsule docked Thursday afternoon. It missed its initial window to dock, and crews in Houston investigated how some of Boeing Starliner's thrusters failed. Flight controllers also said they detected signs of helium leaks after the launch.
However, they said the spacecraft is still safe.
Wilmore launched from Florida on Wednesday. He is set to spend eight days in the ISS with his pilot, Suni Williams. They are expected to parachute down and land in the U.S. Southwest, in the desert.
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Tennessee Tech University applauded Barry "Butch" Wilmore's return to space on the Boeing Starliner Wednesday morning.
Wilmore is the university's trustee and two-time graduate. He and fellow astronaut Suni Williams are expected to dock at the International Space Station at 12:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday.
Wilmore and Williams will spend eight days at the ISS before returning home on Friday, June 14.
“Through his character and accomplishments, Barry has made Tennessee Tech enormously proud. His indelible mark on our campus is undeniable,” Tech President Phil Oldham said. “As he continues on this historic voyage, he has the support and well wishes of the entire Golden Eagle community.”
While there, Wilmore will participate in a video question-and-answer session with the children of Tech faculty and staff, according to a release from Tennessee Tech.
The Mt. Juliet native has two degrees and an honorary doctorate from the university. As a Tech football alum, Wilmore is a member of the university’s Sports Hall of Fame and was the 2018 recipient of the Teddy Roosevelt Award, the NCAA’s highest honor, according to the release.
Wilmore also received Tech’s 2010 Outstanding Alumni Award for the College of Engineering.