The astronaut is stepping away from NASA shortly after returning from a troubled test flight that left him aboard the ISS months longer than expected.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Butch Wilmore, a Tennessee native and a graduate of both the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Tech, announced on Wednesday his retirement from NASA. Wilmore, who spent more than 25 years at NASA, is a decorated U.S. Navy captain who flew numerous tactical missions during peacetime and combat operations.

SpaceX launched four astronauts Friday to the ISS for a six-month science mission, marking the company’s 12th NASA crew flight since 2020.