Washington DC: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have voiced concerns about being ‘stranded’ in space since their arrival at the International Space Station on June 5 of last year. They recently responded to former President Donald Trump’s claims that they were “abandoned” by the Biden Administration. Trump noted their prolonged stay in space, asserting they had been "virtually abandoned."
During an interview with Trump on Fox News, Musk reiterated that they were left there for political motives. Meanwhile, NASA has announced plans to bring Williams and Wilmore, along with teammates Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, back to Earth in March.
The Crew-10 mission, scheduled to launch on March 12, will facilitate their return, which has been moved up to March 19, previously set for March 25. Wilmore confirmed the timeline, stating they would complete a turnover with the new incoming crew before departing.
In response, Elon Musk revealed on X that President Biden had requested SpaceX to bring the astronauts home, criticizing the Biden Administration for delaying their return. Musk further stated that their extended presence in space was due to political reasons.
Ahead of Valentine's Day this February, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams addressed misconceptions about their situation on the ISS, dismissing claims that they are stranded or abandoned. In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Wilmore acknowledged the narrative of feeling "stranded, abandoned, stuck" but emphasized that this does not reflect their reality or the essence of human spaceflight. They articulated that they feel neither abandoned nor stuck, and instead requested a shift in the discussion towards being "prepared and committed."
Williams, who has participated in Boeing Starliner’s first crewed mission, expressed that surprises are part of the experience, confirming that they encountered issues during the test flight. Before public figures like Trump and Elon Musk suggested the duo might need rescue, Williams remarked that being stationed in space for extended periods is typical for astronauts, making it all part of their role.
Williams also acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, explaining that not returning home immediately is common in their line of work. Both astronauts thus reaffirmed their readiness and commitment to the mission despite external narratives.
