President Trump has accused the Biden administration of “abandoning” two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule last summer.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to “go get” the stranded astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, claiming they had been “waiting for many months.”
Musk responded on X, stating that Trump had asked SpaceX to bring the astronauts home “as soon as possible” and that his company would do so.
However, NASA officials and space experts clarified that Wilmore and Williams are not actually stranded or abandoned.
Their return was planned months ago as part of a normal crew rotation schedule, and they are expected to come back to Earth at the end of March aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Why Are Wilmore and Williams Still in Space?
Wilmore and Williams launched aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was supposed to be an eight-to-ten-day mission.
Their flight was part of Boeing’s first piloted test of Starliner, intended to provide NASA with an alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for future crew transport missions.
However, after the spacecraft arrived at the ISS, NASA engineers discovered propellant leaks and pressurization issues with Starliner’s propulsion system.
Due to safety concerns, NASA decided on August 24 to leave the astronauts aboard the station for an extended stay and bring Starliner back to Earth remotely on September 7.
NASA later adjusted the crew rotation schedule, planning for Wilmore and Williams to return in late March aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, alongside Crew 9 astronauts Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov.
Were They Really “Abandoned” in Space?
Trump’s claim that the astronauts were “abandoned” is misleading. Wilmore and Williams have remained on the space station as part of a carefully planned NASA strategy.
Their extended stay was based on safety assessments, spacecraft availability, and ISS operational needs, not political decisions.
NASA had anticipated the Starliner capsule’s issues and had already planned for two empty seats on a Crew Dragon capsule launched in September 2024. This provided a safe return option for Wilmore and Williams whenever their mission ended.
Additionally, both astronauts have publicly stated they understood the decision and are not in distress or stranded.
Could SpaceX Bring Them Home “As Soon As Possible”?
Musk’s statement that SpaceX would bring the astronauts home “as soon as possible” has raised questions about what that would actually mean.
- Wilmore and Williams could leave the ISS immediately if NASA ordered an earlier return aboard the Crew Dragon currently docked at the station.
- However, this would leave only one NASA astronaut, Don Pettit, aboard the U.S. section of the ISS, potentially disrupting critical research and station operations.
- NASA’s original plan was to return Crew 9—including Wilmore and Williams—after Crew 10 arrives, ensuring continuous staffing of the station.
Rumors suggest the Crew 10 launch may face additional delays. If necessary, NASA could shift that crew to another available Crew Dragon capsule, but even then, it would only move up the Crew 9 return by a few days.
Boeing’s Starliner Faces Setbacks
The extended stay of Wilmore and Williams highlights Boeing’s ongoing struggles with its Starliner spacecraft.
- This was Starliner’s first crewed test flight, a major milestone for Boeing’s contract with NASA.
- The spacecraft had already suffered multiple delays in development.
- The recent propulsion issues have raised questions about Boeing’s ability to provide a reliable alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
NASA remains committed to having two spacecraft providers for crew transportation but will likely require further testing before Starliner becomes a regular part of ISS missions.
Despite President Trump’s claims, Wilmore and Williams are not abandoned or stranded in space. Their extended mission was a NASA decision based on safety and operational considerations, and they are scheduled to return at the end of March.
Elon Musk’s involvement in the conversation has fueled speculation, but SpaceX does not need to launch a new mission to rescue the astronauts. They already have a safe and planned return route aboard a Crew Dragon capsule.
The situation underscores Boeing’s struggles with the Starliner program and NASA’s careful planning in managing space missions.
While political figures may use the delay to score points, space experts agree that the astronauts remain safe and will return as scheduled.