Stranded NASA astronaut's teenage daughter breaks silence with sad admission about her dad being stuck in space

Daryn Wilmore - the teenage daughter of NASA astronaut Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, who has been stranded in space for nine months - has released a heartbreaking statement ahead of his rescue.

'Butch' and his colleague Sunita Williams trapped onboard the International Space Station following a botched eight-day mission in June 2024.

A series of technical faults - including fuel and helium leaks, dead manoeuvring thrusters, and a broken propellant valve - have since prevented the scientists from returning home.

And following a number of cancelled rescue attempts by NASA, Elon Musk's space exploration SpaceX firm was approached, confirming last month that the stranded astronauts were scheduled to be home as per a new mission around March 19 - two weeks earlier than planned.

As well as missing their families, concern has mounted up in recent weeks surrounding the astronauts' health - particularly when it comes to their lack of muscle used as a result of microgravity.

Amongst those most worried for the pair's wellbeing is Daryn Wilmore, 'Butch's' teenage daughter.

Speaking to the Daily Mail on Thursday (6 March), she revealed there were a number of aspects of her father's predicament that she's 'not at liberty' to address, and others that she '[doesn't] know fully about'.

She did say, however, that there have been 'issues'.

"There's been negligence," she implied of NASA's ceaselessly cancelled rescue missions. And that's the reason why this has just kept getting delayed. There's just been issue after issue after issue."

Barry 'Butch' Wilmore's daughter has spoken out (WVLT)

Ahead of SpaceX's attempt later this month, Daryn added that she refuses to get her hopes up, pointing out that 'things could always change'.

"We've had so many changes," she added. "And it's a bit mentally exhausting. It's been hard if we're completely honest."

She went on to say, however, that despite her own reluctance, her father is remaining positive.

"He's just been bummed, but he's fine. My dad is very resilient."

Williams and Wilmore were asked last month during an in-orbit press conference about their hopes for Musk's rescue mission, during which 'Butch' hinted at resentment at the way Donald Trump's presidential predecessor Joe Biden handled their predicament.

Asked about Musk's previous claim that Biden had previously stalled the rescue due to an unknown 'political reason', the scientist somewhat skirted the suggestion.

The astronauts discussed Elon Musk and President Trump's mission (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"I can only say that Mr Musk, what he says, is absolutely factual…I believe him," 'Butch' claimed.

Williams also added during the conference: "All of us have the utmost respect for Mr Musk, and obviously, respect and admiration for our president of the United States, Donald Trump.

"We appreciate them. We appreciate all that they do for us, for human space flight, for our nation."