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Trump asks Elon Musk to fast track return of Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore from ISS, blames Biden for delay

Despite the growing political debate, NASA has consistently maintained that the astronauts are not stranded and remain in good health

Reported by:  PTC News Desk  Edited by:  Jasleen Kaur -- January 29th 2025 01:07 PM
Trump asks Elon Musk to fast track return of  Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore from ISS, blames Biden for delay

Trump asks Elon Musk to fast track return of Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore from ISS, blames Biden for delay

PTC Web Desk: Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has confirmed that SpaceX will expedite the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS) following a request from former US President Donald Trump.

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, announced on Tuesday (local time) that his company will ensure the astronauts, who have been at the ISS since June 2024 aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, are brought back at the earliest.


In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk wrote: “The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the two astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so.”

He further blamed the Biden administration for leaving them at the ISS for an extended period.

Former President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation via Truth Social, stating: “Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!”

NASA denies ‘stranded’ claims

Despite the growing political debate, NASA has consistently maintained that the astronauts are not stranded and remain in good health. According to NASA officials, plans for their return had already been in place, with SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission designated for their journey home. The agency had removed two crew members originally scheduled for the mission in order to accommodate Williams and Wilmore.

Starliner Mission faces setbacks

Williams and Wilmore initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024, with a 10-day mission planned. However, technical issues arose, forcing NASA and Boeing to conduct extended assessments before ultimately deciding that returning via Starliner was too risky.

In August 2024, NASA officially tasked SpaceX with bringing the astronauts back using its Crew-9 Dragon capsule. However, further delays emerged when SpaceX needed additional time to finalise preparations for its latest Dragon spacecraft, which was set to debut with the Crew-10 mission.

Initially scheduled for late March 2025, Musk’s latest statement hints that the Crew Dragon capsule ‘Freedom’ may depart earlier than planned to bring Williams and Wilmore home sooner.

The situation has sparked political tensions, with Trump using the delay to criticise the Biden administration. Meanwhile, NASA and SpaceX continue to coordinate for a safe and timely return.

- With inputs from agencies

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