President Donald Trump announced on January 28 that he urged billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to expedite the return of two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), accusing the Biden administration of leaving them “virtually abandoned.” The call to action, framed as a rescue mission, has ignited debates over space policy, political posturing, and the realities of human spaceflight.

The backstory: a Starliner setback

NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams, 59, and Barry Eugene “Butch” Wilmore, 62, embarked on their mission to the ISS on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The mission, initially planned to last just eight days, was part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which partners with private companies to ferry astronauts to space.

However, the Starliner faced critical technical issues, including helium leaks and malfunctioning control thrusters, rendering it unsafe for re-entry. NASA and Boeing decided to return the capsule empty, stranding Williams and Wilmore on the ISS. This marked another setback for Boeing’s Starliner, which has struggled with delays since its first uncrewed test flight in 2019.

NASA’s backup plan: SpaceX steps in

By August 2024, NASA pivoted to its trusted partner, SpaceX, contracting its Crew Dragon spacecraft to bring the astronauts home. A Crew Dragon capsule had already docked at the ISS during NASA’s Crew-9 mission in September 2024, carrying empty seats reserved for Williams and Wilmore. The return was initially scheduled for February 2025 but was delayed to late March due to processing delays for a new Crew Dragon capsule in Florida.

NASA emphasized that the astronauts’ extended stay posed no immediate health risks. “All astronauts undergo medical training and have regular contact with a team of doctors closely monitoring their health on the ground,” the agency stated in November 2024. Their time in orbit remains within acceptable limits.

Trump’s “rescue mission” and Musk’s response

Trump’s January 28 post on Truth Social framed the situation as a political failure: “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!!!“

Musk responded on X (formerly Twitter) within hours: “We will do so.“

While Trump’s language suggested urgency, NASA clarified that Crew-9’s return was always contingent on the arrival of Crew-10, slated for late March. The delay stemmed from standard safety protocols, not negligence.

What’s next for the astronauts?

Williams and Wilmore, both seasoned astronauts, remain active on the ISS, conducting research and maintenance. Their return is now expected in late March 2025 alongside Crew-9 members Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

NASA reaffirmed that the astronauts have ample supplies and support, with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon offering a proven, safe return vehicle.