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During an interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper, the two astronauts were quick to dismiss notions of feeling "abandoned." Williams stated, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded. I understand why others may think that—we come prepared, we come committed.” This emphasizes the extensive preparation that NASA’s human spaceflight program undertakes to prepare for various contingencies that might arise during missions.
Williams and Wilmore's message was clear: they are equipped and ready to handle the challenges that space presents. They urged a shift in the prevailing narrative surrounding their situation, highlighting the importance of framing their experience in terms of preparedness and commitment rather than abandonment.