NASA Credits Trump for Stranded Astronauts’ Rescue: ‘It Wouldn’t Have Happened’
NASA Credits Trump for Astronauts’ Safe Return Amid Political Controversy
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NASA has acknowledged former President Donald Trump’s role in expediting the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who spent 286 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS)—far exceeding their planned eight-day mission. The duo returned to Earth on March 18 in SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule, splashing down near Florida’s coast.
Trump’s Intervention and Political Tensions
NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens credited Trump, calling the mission a “huge win for the Trump administration” and stating the rescue “would not have happened without [his] intervention.” In January, Trump claimed he directed SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to retrieve the astronauts, whom he accused the Biden administration of leaving “virtually abandoned.” Musk echoed these claims, attributing delays to “political reasons.”
Williams and Wilmore returned safely after technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft stranded them for nine months.
NASA officials, however, denied politics influenced their decisions, citing safety, budget, and crew rotation needs. Acting Administrator Janet Petro thanked the Trump administration for accelerating the timeline by a month but emphasized the mission’s complexity.
Isaacman’s Nomination and Backing
Attention now turns to Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator. The billionaire entrepreneur, known for funding private SpaceX missions, has garnered support from 27 former astronauts and GOP governors, including Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott. Supporters praise his business acumen and vision for space exploration.
NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens highlighted Trump’s impact on the mission.
Critics, however, note Isaacman’s past donations to Democrats and his companies’ DEI policies. Despite this, Stevens expressed confidence in his ability to advance Trump’s “America First in Space” agenda, including lunar and Mars missions.
Astronauts’ Perspective
Williams and Wilmore, during their extended stay, denied feeling “abandoned,” focusing instead on their work. NASA reiterated that their prolonged mission stemmed from Starliner’s technical flaws, not political neglect.
Trump and Musk’s partnership was pivotal in expediting the astronauts’ return.
As Isaacman’s Senate confirmation looms, the debate underscores the intersection of politics and space exploration, with NASA striving to balance innovation with bipartisan collaboration.
