Trump Asks Musk to Rescue NASA Astronauts from Space – What’s Really Happening?

Two NASA astronauts have been on the International Space Station (ISS) much longer than planned, and former President Donald Trump is calling on Elon Musk and SpaceX to bring them home. But are they really stranded? Here’s what’s happening.

Who Are the Astronauts and Why Are They Still in Space?

• The two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, launched to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

• The mission was supposed to last only eight days, but technical problems with Starliner’s thrusters meant it couldn’t safely return them to Earth.

• Starliner was sent back empty in September 2024, leaving the astronauts to wait for another ride home.

Trump’s Public Call for a Rescue Mission

• 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…”

• Elon Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
  “The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so.”

Are the Astronauts Really Stranded?

NASA has disagreed with Trump’s claim that the astronauts are abandoned. Here’s their side of the story:

• Wilmore and Williams are safe and in good health. They are continuing to work on ISS missions.

• NASA already had a plan to bring them back using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.

• Their return was originally scheduled for February 2025, but NASA delayed it to late March to ensure the spacecraft is fully ready.

Will SpaceX Speed Up the Return?

SpaceX has said they are willing to bring the astronauts home as soon as possible. However:

• SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, not Starship, will be used. Trump didn’t specifically request Starship, and it’s not yet ready for crewed missions.

• NASA is in charge of astronaut safety and follows strict scheduling and testing before launches.

What’s Next?

For now, Wilmore and Williams will stay on the ISS until their return flight in late March. While Trump and Musk have called for a faster mission, NASA insists they are not stranded and will come home on schedule.

This event shows how space missions are complex, requiring teamwork between NASA, SpaceX, and the government. Even with today’s technology, bringing astronauts back safely takes careful planning—not just a quick decision.