Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to Return via SpaceX
Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been on a prolonged mission at the ISS. They might return using a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which has had available seats for them since September 2024.
The situation began when the two astronauts launched aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule in June 2024 for a mission that was initially expected to last only eight to 10 days. However, the mission encountered technical issues, including propellant leaks and problems with the Starliner's propulsion system.
Now, Elon Musk posted on X and said, "The President has asked SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the ISS as soon as possible. We will do so. Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long."
President Trump conveyed his dissatisfaction with the Biden administration's management of the situation concerning astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 5, 2024, in reaction to this post. CBS News reported that the astronauts remained on the ISS after a problem with their Boeing Starliner capsule postponed their return to Earth.
Trump accused the Biden administration of 'abandoning' the astronauts and urged SpaceX founder Elon Musk to bring them back.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "I have asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to go get the two 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!!!"
Musk, who had earlier confirmed the request, replied on X, affirming that SpaceX would indeed return the astronauts home. He criticised the Biden administration's role in the delay, writing, "Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long." However, the characterisation of the astronauts as "stranded" and "abandoned" has been disputed.
It's important to mention that the situation originated when the two astronauts embarked on Boeing's Starliner capsule in June 2024 for a mission that was initially anticipated to last just eight to 10 days. Nevertheless, the mission faced technical difficulties, such as propellant leaks and issues with the Starliner's propulsion system.
NASA subsequently prolonged the astronauts' mission on the ISS to prevent any interruptions to the crew rotation timetable. This decision was grounded in a risk evaluation and the aim to uphold operational continuity for the ISS. Wilmore and Williams stayed on the ISS without any immediate danger, while their Starliner capsule was remotely controlled back to Earth without them, according to CBS News.
Furthermore, the Crew 10 mission might be influenced by the availability of Crew Dragon capsules, one of which is allocated for a commercial mission by Axiom Space, as reported by CBS News.
Despite Musk's remarks creating some doubts about the astronauts' immediate return, they are actually safe and are anticipated to remain on the ISS until the end of March 2025, as originally planned.