‘Absolutely actual, but …’

SPACEX CEO Elon Musk recently accused the previous Joe Biden administration to prevent his company from trying to bring NASA -Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back from the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut Wilmore Wednesday confirmed Musk’s statement as a « absolute fact » at the orbit of the orbit. When asked if Elon Musk’s claims that the Biden administration refused to help return two astronauts for « political reasons », Wilmore said, « I can only say that Mr Musk is absolutely actual. »

However, Wilmore said that Astronauts had no information on the offer made by Musk. “We have no information about it, though. What was offered, what was not offered, to whom it was offered, how the processes went. It’s information that we simply don’t have, « he said.

He also reduced the importance of political intervention by pointing out, « From my point of view, politics is not at all. »

Originally designed as an eight-day operation, astronauts have now been in orbit for more than eight months due to the safety problems surrounding Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which NASA has kept dangerous to return. Musk claimed that Spacex « could have sent another dragon and brought them home 6 months ago » but stated that « Biden’s White House (not NASA) refused to allow it. »

They are expected to return via SpaceX through Crew Dragon later this month.

US President Donald Trump was reported to intervene and urged SpaceX to speed up the return of Astronauts. Musk’s claims have emphasized a broader debate on political influence on space operations, although Wilmore emphasized that extended tasks are not uncommon and are part of routine human space flight traffic.

NASA has planned the return of Astronauts in March. Williams and Wilmore are expected to travel back to the ground to the Spacex crew’s dragon after 10 launch. Musk has emphasized health risks associated with prolonged space flight, such as bone virals due to microgravitation, which strengthens the importance of rapid return.

Confidence in commercial partners, such as SpaceX, has come to control in the midst of delays. As Boeing’s Starliner is grounded, the SpaceX block is currently the only feasible alternative to the safe return of Astronauts. Musk pointed out, « There is no one else to do it. Nasa can’t get them. The Spacex Dragon spacecraft is the only one that is considered safe enough to get them back. »

Critics of the Biden administration claim that political aspects may have shaded the safety of astronaut. Musk repeated that « Nasa concluded that the Boeing Space Board was not safe. So they are stuck », raising questions about prioritizing safety and operational management.

Despite the disputes, Wilmore is still focused on the scientific objectives of the operation, which shows that extended stay is sometimes necessary. As astronauts prepare for their return, this case emphasizes the complex relationship between politics and space research.