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In a recent social media exchange, Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump urged for the swift return of astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), despite NASA’s existing timeline to bring them home in a couple of months using a SpaceX vehicle.
Both Musk and Trump criticized the previous Biden administration’s decision to leave astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams at the ISS, claiming they had been effectively abandoned. Musk expressed his intent to expedite the astronauts’ return, stating on X, “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.”
Trump echoed this sentiment, declaring on Truth Social, “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!!!”
However, it remains uncertain whether their comments will influence NASA’s operational plans, as neither Musk nor Trump outlined specific directions for the White House to intervene.
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Prior to Musk’s and Trump’s remarks, NASA had already assigned SpaceX the task of returning astronauts Wilmore and Williams from the ISS. As part of mission adjustments, NASA opted to send Boeing’s faulty Starliner capsule back to Earth without crew onboard, instead prioritizing the safe return of Wilmore and Williams, which had been initially planned for February.
Nasa stated that it has a SpaceX Dragon capsule docked at the ISS since September, allowing for a return at any moment, contradicting claims made by Musk and Trump regarding the astronauts’ supposed stranded status. NASA clarified its commitment to a safe return, emphasizing ongoing preparations for the upcoming Crew-10 launch.
Expedition rotations
In the context of the ISS, it is essential to understand how astronaut rotations function. The ISS has been continuously inhabited for 25 years, utilizing a system known as Expeditions, where crews usually remain for about six months. SpaceX began regular astronaut flights for NASA in 2020, typically sending four astronauts at a time. When a new crew arrives, they conduct a ceremonial handover before the departing crew returns to Earth.
The return of Wilmore and Williams was complicated due to Boeing’s Starliner, which was considered too hazardous for crew return after an extended stay at the ISS. Initially intended for a nine-day mission, Starliner remained docked for approximately three months while addressing technical issues. As a result, NASA made the decision to remove other astronauts from the Crew-9 mission, allowing Wilmore and Williams to stay on as part of Expedition 72.
Furthermore, NASA had recently pushed back the Crew-10 launch date by a month, citing the need for additional time for processing a newly constructed Dragon capsule. This delay signifies the intricate planning and adjustments involved in maintaining ISS operations, reflecting the precision needed for human spaceflight.
Earlier this month, NASA provided a glimpse into the astronauts’ experience aboard the ISS through a live broadcast, wherein Wilmore reassured that they were not feeling isolated, rather engaged with various scientific endeavors and projects, reflecting the ongoing work onboard the ISS.
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