Donald Trump urges Elon Musk to rescue Sunita Williams, Butch Willmore from space

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on their space mission aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, expecting to stay on the International Space Station (ISS) for just over a week to ten days. However, due to unexpected technical issues with the Starliner, NASA was forced to delay their return to Earth indefinitely. As a result, both astronauts have now been in space for more than six months, far exceeding their initial mission duration.

Trump Accuses Biden of ‘Abandoning’ Astronauts

Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently took to Truth Social to voice his concerns over the extended stay of the astronauts. He criticized President Joe Biden’s administration, accusing it of failing to bring the two astronauts back in a timely manner.

In his post, Trump stated, “I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the two brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration.” He expressed hope that Musk would take action soon to bring them back safely.

Elon Musk Responds to Trump’s Request

Shortly after Trump’s remarks, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk acknowledged the former president’s call for action. Musk confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that he had received the request and assured that SpaceX would work to bring the astronauts home as soon as possible.

"The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the two astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so," Musk wrote on X.

While SpaceX was not initially responsible for the mission, the company has now been asked to assist in the safe return of Williams and Wilmore.

Boeing Starliner’s Technical Issues Delay Astronauts’ Return

The Boeing Starliner, the spacecraft that transported Williams and Wilmore to the ISS, encountered significant technical difficulties after reaching space. NASA had initially planned their return on the same Starliner, but persistent issues forced the agency to reconsider their options.

As a result, NASA had to delay their return mission multiple times, extending their stay far beyond the planned ten-day schedule. Due to these complications, the astronauts remain on the ISS while NASA and its partners work on alternative plans for their return.

NASA Plans SpaceX Crew-10 Mission for March 2025

NASA had earlier planned to use a SpaceX craft for the astronauts' return in February 2025. However, due to further scheduling adjustments, their return was postponed to late March 2025.

In mid-December 2024, NASA confirmed that SpaceX Crew-10 is now targeting no earlier than late March 2025 for its next mission to the ISS. This mission will send four new astronauts to the space station, including:

• Anne McClain (Commander)

• Nichole Ayers (Pilot)

• Takuya Onishi (Mission Specialist, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency - JAXA)

• Kirill Peskov (Cosmonaut, Roscosmos)

The four crew members have been training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston in preparation for their journey.

What’s Next for the Stranded Astronauts?

With the growing concerns surrounding the delay in their return, NASA and SpaceX are expected to finalize a concrete plan soon. While the initial goal was for the astronauts to return on the Boeing Starliner, the technical difficulties have led to alternative solutions being explored, including SpaceX’s potential involvement.

As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of Williams and Wilmore at the earliest opportunity. Whether SpaceX will officially take over the return mission or if NASA will find another solution remains to be seen.

Conclusion: A Race Against Time to Bring Astronauts Home

The prolonged stay of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard the ISS has sparked a heated debate, with former President Donald Trump accusing the Biden administration of negligence. His public appeal to Elon Musk has brought renewed attention to their situation, prompting SpaceX to step in and assist with their return.

While NASA initially planned for the astronauts to return on the Boeing Starliner, persistent technical failures have led to repeated delays. With SpaceX now involved, a resolution seems to be on the horizon, though their return is still scheduled for no earlier than March 2025.

As NASA and SpaceX finalize their plans, the priority remains ensuring the safe return of Williams and Wilmore. Their unexpected extended mission highlights the challenges of space travel and the critical need for reliable spacecraft. Whether political pressure accelerates the process or not, the world eagerly awaits their safe journey back to Earth.