January 29, 2025
In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has requested that Elon Musk’s SpaceX expedite the return of two NASA astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were already slated to return to Earth in late March aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. However, Trump’s recent comments suggest a shift in the timeline for their return.
Trump’s Request for an Early Return
Trump made his request public on social media, claiming that the astronauts had been “virtually abandoned in space” by the Biden Administration. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“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!!!”
Trump’s request was met with some surprise, as NASA officials were not aware of the change in plans. Despite the unconventional intervention, Musk confirmed that SpaceX would comply with the request to return Wilmore and Williams “as soon as possible.”
The Situation with the Starliner Mission
The astronauts were originally assigned to return on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was scheduled for an August return. However, technical difficulties with Starliner’s propulsion system delayed this mission, prompting NASA to arrange for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule to bring them home instead.
While the two astronauts remain in good health and continue their scientific research aboard the ISS, the delay in Starliner’s development has raised questions. Since 2019, Boeing has faced persistent issues with Starliner, including engineering problems and cost overruns. As a result, NASA deemed the spacecraft too risky for the astronauts’ return.
Impact of the Early Return Request
If SpaceX follows through with the expedited return, it could create a scheduling conflict for NASA, which coordinates the staffing of the ISS carefully. The Crew-9 mission, which currently has Wilmore and Williams aboard, is scheduled for a late March departure. An earlier return would likely require adjustments to the existing schedule.
One potential issue is that if Crew-9 returns before the Crew-10 mission launches, it could result in a staffing imbalance on the U.S. portion of the ISS. Currently, NASA astronaut Don Pettit is the only American aboard, which could complicate the station’s operations.
What’s Next for the ISS and SpaceX
As of now, it remains unclear whether Trump’s demand will cause significant changes to NASA’s plans. The agency has yet to comment on the situation, but the potential for disruption is real. The Crew-9 capsule, which already flew to the ISS in September, has available seats for the astronauts, but adjustments would be needed for their early return.
Despite challenges with Starliner, NASA has been making significant strides in its efforts to maintain a robust and reliable space program. The agency is moving ahead with other key missions, including the development of one of the most capable astronomical observatories ever assembled, which will be launched in the coming years.
Conclusion
The unexpected request by Trump and Musk to speed up the return of two astronauts from the ISS has raised questions about the coordination of NASA’s mission schedule and the status of Boeing’s Starliner program. With SpaceX now tasked with bringing Wilmore and Williams back to Earth sooner than anticipated, the situation continues to evolve. As the space agency navigates these challenges, it will need to ensure the continued success of its operations aboard the ISS.
