NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have responded to Elon Musk’s claim that they are still stranded in space due to political reasons. The two astronauts were supposed to return after an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS), but technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner capsule left them stuck in orbit for nearly nine months. Musk recently suggested in a Fox News interview with Donald Trump that their prolonged stay was not just a technical issue, but politically motivated.
Wilmore acknowledged Musk’s statement but refrained from outright agreeing with it. “We know what we’ve lived up here, and we know the specifics that they may not be privy to,” he said. While he expressed admiration for Musk and Trump, he admitted that he lacked the details to confirm the claim. He added, “What he says is absolutely factual—but I don’t know all those details, and I don’t think any of us can really give the answer you might be hoping for.”
The mission, which launched on June 5, 2024, encountered multiple technical failures, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters. NASA has since been working on alternative ways to bring the astronauts home, with SpaceX now preparing to assist in their return. NASA recently announced that Crew-10’s launch is scheduled for March 12, after which Crew-9, including Wilmore and Williams, will return to Earth following a short handover period.
While the situation has sparked debate over whether politics played a role in delaying their return, NASA has remained focused on ensuring a safe landing. The astronauts’ cautious response to Musk’s claim suggests they are avoiding speculation, instead trusting the agency’s plan to finally bring them back home.
