Trump Urges Musk to ‘Rescue’ Starliner Astronauts – But Do They Really Need Saving?! (Video)
BY: SpaceEyeNews.
The space community was recently shaken by a bold statement from former President Donald Trump, who claimed that two NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) had been “abandoned” by the Biden administration. In a dramatic appeal, Trump called on SpaceX founder Elon Musk to “go get” the astronauts, sparking a wave of confusion and speculation online. But do these astronauts really need saving? And is the situation as dire as it sounds? Let’s break down the facts, analyze the reality, and separate political theatrics from spaceflight science.
What Did Trump Say?
On January 28, 2025, former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to post an alarming message regarding NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams.
“I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the 2 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!!!”
Shortly after, Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“We will do so. Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long.”
The statement led many to believe that Wilmore and Williams were stranded on the ISS with no way home, sparking concerns about their safety. The post also gave the impression that Musk himself would be personally leading a SpaceX rescue mission, adding to the confusion.
But what is the actual situation? Are the astronauts in danger? And why are they still on the ISS months after their Starliner mission was supposed to end?
Who Are the Astronauts and Why Are They Still on the ISS?
Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams are veteran NASA astronauts who launched to the ISS on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This was meant to be a short-duration mission—an eight-to-ten-day test flight to validate Starliner’s performance before it could enter regular service.
However, the mission did not go as planned. Shortly after docking with the ISS, engineers detected propulsion system issues with Starliner, including helium leaks and pressurization problems. Concerned about the risks, NASA decided against using Starliner to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth. Instead, the spacecraft was sent back uncrewed for further analysis, while the astronauts remained on the ISS.
This decision was not made lightly. NASA assessed the risks and determined that keeping the astronauts on the station was safer than attempting to land them in a compromised spacecraft. Their return was then scheduled for the next available ride—SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which had already been planned as a contingency.
So, far from being “abandoned,” NASA had a well-planned alternative return strategy in place, ensuring astronaut safety at every step.
Are They Actually Stranded or Abandoned? (Fact-Checking the Claim)
Despite Trump’s dramatic assertion, the astronauts are not stranded, nor are they at any risk. NASA had already arranged for their return months ago.
In September 2024, Crew Dragon arrived at the ISS carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. However, instead of carrying four astronauts as usual, this Crew Dragon mission was launched with only two astronauts, leaving two empty seats for Wilmore and Williams. This was done intentionally to ensure a backup return plan for them.
Wilmore and Williams are currently living and working on the ISS as part of ongoing scientific research, including a spacewalk conducted on January 30, 2025. They are contributing to routine station maintenance and conducting experiments that are essential to future deep-space missions. Their return, scheduled for March 2025, is simply part of NASA’s long-term planning for spaceflight safety.
So, were they “left behind” by the Biden administration? No.
Are they in danger? No.
Is a dramatic SpaceX rescue mission necessary? No.
Why Did SpaceX Leave Two Empty Seats for Them?
This is a crucial detail that debunks the idea of abandonment. NASA and SpaceX had already prearranged seats for Wilmore and Williams months ago, long before Trump made his claims.
When SpaceX launched Crew Dragon in September 2024, they made a strategic decision to send only two astronauts instead of four. This ensured that Wilmore and Williams would have a safe return option without disrupting the ISS’s operations.
Had NASA wanted to bring them home earlier, they could have done so. However, changing the schedule would have disrupted ISS operations, potentially leaving the U.S. segment of the space station understaffed. This was a calculated decision based on mission logistics, not political influence.
The Politics Behind the Controversy
Trump’s statements have added an unexpected political twist to what is fundamentally a NASA decision based on engineering and safety assessments. It is important to clarify that NASA operates independently of the White House in technical and mission-related decisions.
There is no evidence that the Biden administration played any direct role in delaying the astronauts’ return. The decision to extend Wilmore and Williams’ stay was made by NASA engineers, not politicians. Yet, Trump’s claim frames this as a political failure rather than a technical decision, which is misleading.
Musk’s response also raises questions. As the CEO of SpaceX, he was fully aware of NASA’s plans. His public reaction, despite knowing the facts, suggests he may have been playing into the narrative rather than correcting the record.
This highlights how space exploration can sometimes become entangled in political rhetoric, even when decisions are made purely for operational reasons.
What Happens Next?
NASA’s plan remains unchanged:
- Wilmore and Williams will return to Earth in March 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, alongside Crew-9 astronauts Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov.
- Meanwhile, Crew-10 is set to launch shortly after to replace them, ensuring the ISS remains fully staffed.
- Starliner, after undergoing extensive testing and safety upgrades, will continue to be developed as an alternative to Crew Dragon for future missions.
Despite the recent controversy, this situation actually highlights the importance of redundancy in spaceflight. By having multiple spacecraft available—both Crew Dragon and Starliner—NASA ensures greater flexibility and safety for astronauts.
Conclusion
So, do Wilmore and Williams really need a dramatic SpaceX rescue mission? Absolutely not.
The reality is much less sensational: these astronauts are safe, well taken care of, and following a planned return schedule set months ago. Trump’s statements, while stirring public debate, misrepresent the situation and create unnecessary alarm.
The key takeaway? Spaceflight is complex, but misinformation can make it seem even more dramatic than it is. As exciting as space exploration is, it’s crucial to focus on facts over political narratives.
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