President Donald Trump has called upon SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024. The astronauts were initially part of a Boeing Starliner test flight intended to last only eight days. However, due to technical issues with the Starliner capsule, including helium leaks and thruster problems, their return has been significantly delayed.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump stated, “I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration. They have been waiting for many months on @Space Station. Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!”
Elon Musk responded affirmatively on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that SpaceX would undertake the mission to bring the astronauts home. He remarked, “The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so. Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long.”
NASA had previously planned for Williams and Wilmore to return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025. However, this mission has been postponed to late March due to additional delays. The astronauts have now been in space for over seven months, far exceeding their original mission duration.
This situation has led to criticism of the previous administration’s handling of the astronauts’ return, with both President Trump and Elon Musk highlighting the prolonged delay. NASA maintains that the astronauts are in good health and spirits, noting that extended stays aboard the ISS are not unprecedented.
As SpaceX prepares for the recovery mission, the focus remains on ensuring the safe and timely return of the astronauts. The collaboration between the current administration and private space enterprises underscores the evolving dynamics of space exploration and the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing U.S. interests in space.
