A recent controversy has erupted over the delayed return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from space, with SpaceX chief Elon Musk blaming political interference rather than scientific or technical reasons.
Musk, in an interview with Fox News alongside former US President Donald Trump, claimed that the astronauts were left stranded due to decisions made by the Biden administration.
Musk alleged that politics had played a role in delaying their return, calling the postponement “ridiculous.” He accused President Joe Biden of refusing to authorise their return initially, suggesting that the delay was politically motivated.
Trump also echoed these sentiments, stating that Biden was hesitant to allow their return, implying that he wanted to avoid publicity surrounding the issue.
Williams and Wilmore have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2023 after a technical issue was discovered with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which was originally meant to bring them back. NASA later approved SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule for the return, but the process faced multiple delays.
According to Musk, SpaceX was eventually asked to expedite the return of the astronauts, and their homecoming is now scheduled for 19 March. He assured that his team would proceed cautiously, as they had successfully conducted similar missions in the past.
Despite the claims of abandonment, both astronauts have stated that they do not feel stranded. In a recent interview, Wilmore dismissed the narrative that they were “stuck” or “abandoned,” explaining that they were aware of the risks associated with a test flight.
Williams also reiterated that they expected to find some technical issues with Starliner and were prepared for the extended stay.
NASA had earlier clarified that Williams and Wilmore had to wait for another SpaceX vehicle to arrive with replacement crew members. The agency insisted that their safety remained a priority and that the delay was due to necessary technical evaluations.
The situation, however, has taken a political turn, with Musk and Trump using it to criticise the Biden administration. The interview also touched upon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency, adding another layer to the political discourse surrounding space missions.
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