“In the beginning,
God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
About Butch
Barry “Butch” Wilmore, U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.) and NASA astronaut, has flown three space missions and spent 464 days in orbit. A Tennessee native and Tennessee Tech graduate, he is a test pilot with over 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings. He piloted the Space Shuttle Atlantis, commanded the International Space Station, and most recently led Boeing’s Starliner on its first crewed flight—a mission planned for eight days that stretched into nine months. Known for his humility, steady leadership, and deep faith in Jesus Christ, Butch speaks worldwide on perseverance, leadership under pressure, and the majesty of creation that points to the Creator. Butch and his wife, Deanna, and their two daughters, Daryn and Logan, reside in Houston, Texas.
A Tennessee native, Butch earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Tennessee Tech before graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. A U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.), he amassed over 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings in tactical jet aircraft, completing four operational deployments in the A-7E and F/A-18. Selected by NASA in 2000, he went on to fly three space missions, spending a total of 464 days in orbit. He piloted the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-129) and later commanded the International Space Station during Expeditions 41/42, where he conducted four spacewalks.
“What was planned as an eight-day test flight stretched into a nine-month mission”
Most recently, Butch commanded Boeing’s Starliner on its first crewed flight to the ISS in June 2024. What was planned as an eight-day test flight stretched into a nine-month mission after NASA decided to return Starliner uncrewed. His steady leadership during that unexpected stay drew international attention and underscored his reputation for calm perseverance under pressure.
Butch is one of only two individuals in history to fly five different spacecraft—the Shuttle, ISS, Soyuz, Starliner, and Dragon. Known for his humility, leadership, and deep faith in Jesus Christ, he views exploration not as aimless curiosity but as a purposeful pursuit: a way of unveiling the majesty of creation and the glory of its Creator.
“From combat missions to commanding spacecraft, LIFE is ultimately a pursuit of truth.”
Butch speaks worldwide on perseverance in adversity, leadership under pressure, and the majesty of creation that points to the Creator. From combat missions to commanding spacecraft, his life shows that exploration is ultimately a pursuit of truth—revealing the vastness of creation, the glory of the One who made it, and the steady hope found in a sovereign God. His story calls others to look upward, to wonder, and to pursue knowledge—not for its own sake, but as a means of unveiling the mysteries lovingly concealed for man to search out.
Awards & Honors
The Legion of Merit, The Defense Superior Service Medal
Five Air Medals (three with Combat 'V' designation), Six Navy Commendation Medals (three with Combat 'V' designation)
The NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Two NASA Space Flight Medals
Two Navy Meritorious Service Medals, Two Navy Achievement Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Inducted into the TTU Sports Hall of Fame - Football 2003
Order of the Eagle from Tennessee Technological University (TTU) 2025
Distinguished Graduate, University of Tennessee 2025
NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award (2018)
University of Tennessee Mechanical Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering Hall of Fame Inductee (2017)
U.S. Atlantic Fleet "Strike Fighter Aviator of the Year" (1999)
Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic “Scott Speicher Award” for Weapons Employment Excellence (1998), United States Atlantic Fleet “Light Attack Wing One - Pilot of the Year” (1991)
Books by Butch
Stuck In Space
When the Starliner’s thrusters failed during docking with the International Space Station, astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore found himself facing the unknown—and ultimately residing aboard the ISS far longer than anticipated. From his vantage point 250 miles above Earth, he was prompted to reflect deeply on his life and faith.
In this compelling memoir, Wilmore guides readers from his challenging beginnings on Tennessee football fields through flying Navy combat missions over Iraq, to commanding spacecraft in orbit. Along the way, he shares near-death experiences, stories of perseverance, and the providence of God woven through every challenge and triumph.
With humor, grit, and steadfast faith, Wilmore demonstrates that while life often feels out of control, the God who created the universe is always in control. Stuck in Space delivers both a thrilling account of space exploration and a powerful reminder of the eternal hope we can find in Christ.
Life’s Emergency Procedures
A Pocket Checklist for Life
What does a fighter pilot reach for in a dire in-flight emergency? A small pocket checklist packed with critical information for handling fire, failure, or loss of control. Inside that checklist, thousands of pages of technical manuals are distilled into the most vital steps needed to avoid crashing and burning.
Using that same concept, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Craig “Z” Ziemba have designed a Pocket Checklist for Life’s Emergencies—a guide for when the unexpected happens and you need the ultimate truth to navigate through.
In the News
Morgan Brennan’s Interview with NASA Astronauts, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams and Nick Hague
CNBC
NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams give first interview since return to Earth
Fox News
Rescued astronauts share their experiences after returning to Earth: 'We were prepared to do anything'
Anderson Cooper
Answers for Pastors & Leaders Conference 2025
by Answers in Genesis
September 30 – October 2, 2025
37th Annual Wernher von Braun Awards, Keynote Speaker, Huntsville AL
October 29, 2025
dedication of Wilmore Way
at Tennessee Tech
October 31, 2025
Homecoming at Tennessee Tech
November 1, 2025
12th Man at
Tennessee Titans game
November 2, 2025
Upcoming Events
*Events will be added as information becomes available.
Interested in getting Butch to speak at your next event?
