SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made headlines recently when he claimed on social media platform X that the Biden Administration had left two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). He specifically indicated that former President Donald Trump had requested SpaceX’s assistance in rescuing these astronauts. However, the veracity of Musk’s claim has been challenged, as the situation was not as dire as he presented it. NASA had previously put a plan in place months ago to bring astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth as part of its Crew-9 mission. A delay was announced in December due to necessary preparations for a new SpaceX vehicle.
In Musk’s post, he stated, “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.” This statement sparked significant controversy and confusion regarding the status of the astronauts. However, it is important to note that NASA did not immediately address Musk’s comments, which left room for speculation and further questions.
The circumstances surrounding Williams and Wilmore’s expected return are unusual. They were unable to leave the ISS aboard the Boeing spacecraft that initially brought them there due to complications related to the vehicle. As such, their return trip has been rescheduled as part of a standard crew rotation, where they are now set to return with other astronauts to Earth. Williams and Wilmore piloted Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which faced numerous challenges, including propulsion problems and helium leaks, during its launch from Florida in June 2024.
After the Starliner docked at the ISS, it became apparent that significant technical issues would prevent the safe return of the astronauts aboard it. As a cautious response, NASA opted to have SpaceX retrieve Williams and Wilmore instead, utilizing the SpaceX Crew-9 capsule which was already at the station. At the time, NASA announced plans to return the Crew-9 capsule by February. However, delays pushed the timeline back to late March or later, primarily because SpaceX required more time to finish the spacecraft designated for its upcoming Crew-10 mission.
Despite the extended stay on the ISS, both astronauts have maintained a positive outlook. In an interview with former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on January 8, Wilmore remarked that they had an adequate supply of clothes and food, emphasizing their comfort aboard the station. Williams echoed these sentiments, reassuring that they do not feel like “castaways” and noting that their extended mission remains meaningful, with work still to be done during their time in space.
Official statements from NASA and Boeing have consistently clarified that the astronauts were not stranded at any point during their mission. Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, indicated that both astronauts had options for returning to Earth if the situation became critical, including flying home on the Starliner or awaiting the arrival of SpaceX’s spacecraft. He emphasized the importance of the astronauts’ safety and the preparations involved in securing a safe return.
The decision to extend their mission, albeit initially controversial, was based on the unanimous agreement among NASA leadership, which prioritized astronaut safety. Nelson clarified in a CNN interview that the decision was made considering several safety factors, despite opposing views from Boeing regarding Starliner’s readiness for the return trip.
Looking ahead, both Williams and Wilmore are expected to participate in more spacewalks as they await their eventual return home. The Crew-9 mission, which includes other astronauts like Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, has been ongoing since September. Once they return in late March or early April, Williams and Wilmore would have spent a total of approximately nine months in space. While missions to the ISS typically last around six months, extensions have been not uncommon, as evidenced by NASA astronaut Frank Rubio’s record-setting stay lasting 371 days, emphasizing the nature of space missions and their often unpredictable durations.