Trump Authorizes Elon Musk to Rescue Stranded U.S. Astronauts from ISS

President Trump blames the Biden administration for the extended ISS stay of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, saying, “We’re coming to get you.”

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Trump Approves Musk-Led Mission to Bring Back Stranded U.S. Astronauts

Washington DC [US], March 8 – U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized Elon Musk and SpaceX to bring home American astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump criticized the Biden administration for the delay in their return and assured the astronauts that a rescue was imminent.

“We love you, and we’re coming up to get you. You shouldn’t have been up there so long. The most incompetent president in our history allowed that to happen to you, but this president won’t let that happen. We’re going to get them out,” Trump declared.

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Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Lead the Rescue Mission

Trump confirmed that he had personally spoken with Elon Musk, giving him the green light to facilitate the astronauts’ return.

“I said, ‘Are you equipped to get them?’ He (Musk) said, ‘Yeah, he’s got a starship. And they’re preparing it right now,’” Trump explained.

• The astronauts were left behind after an issue was discovered with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which returned to Earth without them.
• SpaceX had already launched a Crew Dragon capsule in September 2024 to bring them back, but NASA delayed the return mission.
• NASA later announced that a second SpaceX rescue mission would be launched no earlier than late March 2025, further prolonging their stay.

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Trump’s Remarks on Sunita Williams and ISS Dangers

Trump also commented on Sunita Williams, noting the challenges astronauts face in space.

“I see the woman with the wild hair—good, solid head of hair she’s got. There’s no kidding. There’s no games with her hair. But, you know, there’s a danger up there too. They can have some failures up there. That would be very bad. You’ve got to get them out,” Trump said.

He reassured the astronauts that he would personally greet them upon their return.

“When they come back, I’ll greet them. How about that? No, no, we’re going to get them out. I’ve authorized Elon Musk to go and get them. And he’s prepared to do so,” Trump added.

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NASA’s Delayed Return Plans Under Scrutiny

The New York Post reported that NASA initially scheduled a rescue mission in September 2024, sending a Crew Dragon capsule to dock at the ISS. However, NASA opted to postpone the return mission, citing operational concerns.

• In December, NASA confirmed that Williams and Wilmore would have to wait for another SpaceX rescue mission, set for late March 2025.
• Even after the mission arrives, they will undergo an additional handover period before returning.

With Trump now pressuring for immediate action, it remains to be seen whether NASA will accelerate the timeline or stick to its existing schedule.

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What Happens Next?

With Trump’s backing of a Musk-led rescue mission, several key questions remain:

• Will NASA adjust its timeline following Trump’s directive?
• How soon can SpaceX launch a return mission?
• Will political tensions impact NASA’s decision-making process?

As the astronauts remain aboard the ISS, their return timeline remains uncertain, but Trump’s intervention may push for a quicker resolution.

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Tags: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, SpaceX, NASA, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, ISS, Astronaut Rescue, Starliner Capsule, Crew Dragon