Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024, far exceeding their planned eight-day mission. What began as a routine test flight has turned into a nearly nine-month stay due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Yet, their prolonged presence in orbit has ignited a debate, with some alleging political interference by the Biden administration as the cause of the delay.
The astronauts launched on June 5, 2024, to evaluate Starliner’s capabilities. However, problems surfaced with the spacecraft’s thrusters and helium leaks, rendering it unsafe for their return. NASA opted to extend their stay and arranged for SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, docked at the ISS since September 2024 with additional seating, to bring them back. Their return is now scheduled for late March 2025.
Controversy erupted when President Donald Trump and Elon Musk claimed the Biden administration had mishandled the situation. On January 28, 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social that the astronauts were “virtually abandoned” and said he had urged Musk to retrieve them. Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, supported this narrative on X, asserting he had offered an earlier rescue but was rebuffed for “political reasons.” He implied the delay was timed to avoid boosting Trump’s image post-inauguration on January 20, 2025.
NASA and former officials have firmly rejected these accusations. They attribute the extended timeline to technical and logistical necessities, not political motives. In August 2024, NASA outlined plans to use Crew-9 for the return, initially targeting February 2025 before shifting to March for safety reasons. Former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy stated they were unaware of any formal offer from Musk, with Nelson noting no such proposal reached senior levels.
Williams and Wilmore have dismissed suggestions of abandonment. In a February 13, 2025, interview, Wilmore emphasized, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.” Speaking at a March 4 press conference, he acknowledged Musk’s claims but said he lacked details, focusing instead on their readiness and dedication to the mission.
As of March 17, 2025, the astronauts are poised to return between March 19 and 20, following the arrival of Crew-10 on March 12. Their extended stay underscores the complexities of spaceflight, where technical challenges often overshadow political narratives. While the debate persists, Williams and Wilmore remain committed to their work, undeterred by the controversy below.
