In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have ignited controversy over the status of two NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Trump accused the Biden administration of leaving astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore “stranded” in space, suggesting that Musk's SpaceX should expedite their return. Musk confirmed Trump's request, indicating that they would bring the astronauts home “as soon as possible.” However, NASA has stated that the astronauts are not stranded and their return has been planned for months.

Williams and Wilmore have been at the ISS since June 2024, after launching aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for what was initially meant to be a brief test flight. Due to technical malfunctions, including propulsion issues, NASA opted to cancel their return aboard the Starliner, which successfully landed empty in September 2024. Instead, a plan was set in motion for SpaceX to pick them up on the Crew-9 mission, with their expected return no earlier than late March 2025, coinciding with the arrival of the next Crew-10 mission, as part of NASA's strategy to maintain adequate staffing on the ISS.

Trump's statements on social media included a proclamation that Musk “will soon be on his way” to retrieve the astronauts, despite NASA's assurance that there was no immediate need for a rescue as they were adequately supplied and in good health. Historical and technical background from NASA illustrates that long missions—including this one—are carefully coordinated, and astronauts have been well cared for in space.

Adding to the confusion, Musk’s comments suggested a lack of urgency on NASA's part, emphasizing that it was “terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long." However, NASA reiterated that they have been regularly supplied and attended to, ensuring minimal risk to the astronauts onboard.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager, Steve Stich, noted that the astronauts were never truly stranded. He clarified, "They always had a way to depart the space station," and that the current mission design prioritized safety across the board.

The agency is striving for a seamless transition between crewed missions, which serves critical scientific research and operational maintenance of the ISS. As of now, preparations are underway for the Crew-10 launch, which needs to precede the Crew-9 return. The astronauts involved have displayed resilience and professionalism, stating they don’t feel “castaways” as they continue to perform vital tasks aboard the ISS, including a recent spacewalk to collect samples that could inform future planetary protection measures during missions aimed at lunar and Martian exploration.

NASA and SpaceX are reportedly expediting their collaborations to bring Williams and Wilmore home while ensuring the integrity and functionality of the ISS remains secure.

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