US President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have both vowed to return two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) “as soon as possible,” despite NASA already planning their return in March. The astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, have been stranded in space since June due to a series of technical issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule originally meant for their return.
SpaceX’s Role in the Astronauts’ Return
Musk and Trump’s statements have raised questions, especially considering NASA’s existing plans for the astronauts’ homecoming. The SpaceX capsule that is slated to bring them back was already launched in September and is currently docked to the ISS, awaiting the return of Williams and Wilmore. Both astronauts have been on the space station for almost 10 months after their mission was extended due to the malfunctioning of their original return vehicle.
NASA had tasked Boeing’s Starliner with bringing them home. However, the spacecraft faced technical challenges with its thrusters, forcing the agency to use a SpaceX capsule instead. Williams and Wilmore’s extended stay has now caught the attention of both Trump and Musk, who appear eager to speed up their return.
Uncertainty Surrounds Musk and Trump’s Statements
While Musk and Trump both expressed urgency about bringing the astronauts back, it remains unclear how their plans differ from NASA’s. SpaceX is already preparing for the astronauts’ return in March, and the current capsule in space is expected to complete the mission. It’s unclear whether Musk and Trump’s declarations indicate a new plan or are merely an enthusiastic show of support for NASA’s existing operations.
With the astronauts’ extended stay, their return has become a matter of great interest, especially after their initial mission, intended to last only a week, was delayed. Now, Williams and Wilmore are set to remain in space for nearly a year, which has added to the uncertainty surrounding the exact timing of their return.
