KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - When Boeing's Starliner capsule launched on June 5, Tennessee astronaut Butch Wilmore was only supposed to be in space for an estimated eight days.
According to NASA, there's a chance that an eight-day mission will turn into eight months with a return possibly happening in February of 2025.
"You know we probably don't expect him until February, February or March," said Wilmore's wife Deanna.
Wilmore, a University of Tennessee graduate, lives in Texas now alongside his wife and 19-year-old daughter Daryn, and 16-year-old daughter Logan.
Deanna said her husband told her there's an ongoing discussion about their capsule's safety as they evaluate its thrusters.
Wilmore's family back home is still able to Facetime him several times throughout most days as a way to stay in touch from the International Space Station.
"It is so cool he gives us a lot of Earth views, I especially like seeing the sunset," said Daryn.
It's uncertain if Wilmore will have to spend six more months in space, or if he'll come back home with another crew in September.
While Wilmore's family predicts they won't see the astronaut until 2025, they acknowledge that it's likely he'll miss some big moments for his family in the process.
Christmas, he and his wife's 30th wedding anniversary, most of Logan's senior year of high school, and Daryn's theatre performances in college, are just a few of the moments Wilmore's family is anticipating him not being there for.
"You just sort of have to roll with it and expect the unexpected," said Deanna.
While the Wilmore family misses their dad and husband, they said their feeling isn't frustration as they understand that what's happening now is out of their control.
Daryn and Logan said their friends will routinely ask about their dad and admire his work in space.
The family said they're at peace knowing that Wilmore enjoys his work and is doing what he can to stay safe while he's in space.
"He just takes it that the Lord is in control and since the Lord is in control, he's content where he is," said Deanna.
For now, the return date for Wilmore and the crew is unclear.