Trump Asks Elon Musk to ‘Rescue’ Sunita Williams, Claims Biden Abandoned Them

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. US President Donald Trump has asked Elon Musk to bring back Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS.
2. The astronauts, who were supposed to return in 10 days, have been stranded since June 2024 due to technical issues.
3. Trump accuses the Biden administration of abandoning the astronauts in space.
4. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore flew to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024.
5. A safe return is planned for March 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew-10 spacecraft.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore: The Stranded Astronauts

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have become central to a growing controversy surrounding their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially part of a 10-day mission that began in June 2024, technical failures have left both astronauts stranded in space for over seven months. The astronauts launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which encountered thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that delayed their return.

The controversy reached new heights when President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to demand that tech billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX take action and bring the astronauts back. In his post, Trump referred to Williams and Wilmore as “brave astronauts” and criticized the Biden administration for what he described as their “abandonment” of the astronauts. Trump expressed confidence that Musk would undertake the mission soon, ensuring their safety and successful return.

It is crucial to understand the magnitude of the issue. These astronauts were supposed to return to Earth within 10 days of their mission, but seven months later, they are still on the ISS due to unforeseen malfunctions with their transportation spacecraft. This delay has raised concerns both within NASA and the broader space exploration community. The Biden administration has not yet given clear statements on its plans to resolve the situation, leading to significant public criticism.

The planned return of both astronauts is now expected in March 2025, aboard SpaceX’s Crew-10 spacecraft. Experts believe SpaceX’s advanced technologies can address any lingering issues, ensuring a safe return of Williams and Wilmore. Meanwhile, Trump has called on the private sector, personified by Elon Musk, to step in and address the crisis, leaving a question of government versus private sector roles in space missions.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on the ISS for over seven months due to technical failures.
• Trump has called for SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to handle their safe return.
• The astronauts’ return was delayed from a planned 10-day mission to March 2025.
• Biden’s administration faces backlash over the handling of the astronauts’ prolonged stay in space.
• SpaceX’s Crew-10 spacecraft will be responsible for the astronauts’ safe return next year.

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