A series of social media posts by former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have raised questions about the return timeline for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS). While their departure was already planned, the posts suggest that changes could be imminent.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft that launched NASA’s Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Image Credit: NASA.
Musk posted on X late this afternoon, stating that Trump had directed him to bring “home the 2 astronauts stranded” on the ISS as soon as possible, adding, “we will do so.” The statement has sparked confusion, as neither Wilmore nor Williams is actually stranded. Although their return has been delayed, they remain safely aboard the station, waiting for their replacements to arrive.
No Astronauts Are Stranded
Wilmore and Williams arrived on the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner as part of its Crew Flight Test. However, issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system led NASA to determine that it was not safe for their return. Instead of coming back immediately, they were absorbed into the regular ISS rotation as members of Crew-9. Their planned return ride, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom, is already docked at the station and available if needed.
NASA follows a structured crew rotation, with astronauts typically staying for six-month missions. Wilmore and Williams, along with fellow Crew-9 members Nick Hague (NASA) and Aleksandr Gorbunov (Roscosmos), are waiting for Crew-10’s launch before they return to Earth. However, that launch has been delayed due to the need for a new Crew Dragon capsule, pushing its timeline from February to at least late March.
NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch and Suni entering inside the International Space Station’s Harmony module. Image: NASA.
Potential Changes to Return Plans?
If Crew-10’s launch faces further delays, SpaceX could opt to use an already operational Crew Dragon capsule instead of waiting for the new one. The company has four in service: Freedom, Endeavour, Resilience, and Endurance. Two of these are currently scheduled for private missions (Axiom-4 and Fram2), but adjustments could be made to prioritize ISS operations.
Trump’s comments on Truth Social have added another layer of intrigue. He implied that Musk himself might take action to retrieve the astronauts, despite Musk never having flown to space. Meanwhile, Musk’s criticism of the Biden administration for “leaving them there” has puzzled experts, as NASA’s decision was made based on safety considerations. If the agency had opted to bring them back on Starliner— which ultimately landed safely—it would have benefited Boeing, SpaceX’s competitor in the commercial crew program.
Implications of an Early Return
Should NASA decide to bring Crew-9 back before Crew-10 arrives, the ISS would be left with a reduced crew of three: NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Wagner, who arrived on Soyuz MS-26. While the station can operate with a minimal crew, NASA prefers a full complement for ongoing research and maintenance.
At this time, it remains unclear whether SpaceX or NASA will alter the return schedule. The situation is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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