NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have firmly denied allegations that they are “abandoned” or “stuck” in space. The claims surfaced after former U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk suggested that the astronauts had been left on the International Space Station (ISS) due to political reasons.
“We Are Not Stranded”
In an interview with CNN, Butch Wilmore addressed the ongoing speculation, saying, “That’s been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck. But that is not what our human spaceflight program is about. We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.”
Sunita Williams echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that they were well aware of potential delays due to technical evaluations. The duo had traveled to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, initially planning for an eight-day mission. However, after discovering issues with the spacecraft, NASA opted to send it back to Earth without its crew, leaving Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS for an extended stay.
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Trump and Musk Stir Controversy
Amid growing concerns about their prolonged stay in space, Donald Trump alleged that the Biden administration had “virtually abandoned” the astronauts. Additionally, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the president had personally asked SpaceX to rescue the astronauts.
Despite these claims, NASA has maintained that the astronauts’ return schedule is part of standard operational planning. The agency confirmed that Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth in March 2025, alongside Crew-9 members Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, after the arrival of the Crew-10 mission.
A Challenging Return to Earth
While political debates continue, the real challenge for the astronauts will be readjusting to Earth’s gravity after months in microgravity. Wilmore explained, “Gravity is really tough. When we get back, everything will be pulled down. Even lifting a pencil will feel like a workout.”
Sunita Williams also shared insights into dreaming in space, revealing that she sometimes dreams about being on Earth while aboard the ISS and vice versa.
Despite the political controversy, Williams and Wilmore remain committed to their mission, with NASA ensuring their safe and scheduled return.
