Published Date: March 15th, 2025
Author: Global World Citizen News Team
Source: GlobalWorldCitizen.com
Headline
In a critical mission, SpaceX successfully launched a NASA crewed mission on Friday to bring home two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). Their return had been delayed for nine months due to persistent technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The extended stay sparked political controversy, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump suggesting the astronauts were deliberately left in orbit for political reasons.
Key Facts
Successful Launch: SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:03 p.m. EDT on Friday, carrying a new set of astronauts to the ISS.
Crew-10 Team: The mission includes:
- Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers (NASA astronauts)
- Takuya Onishi (Japanese astronaut)
- Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos cosmonaut)
Who Are They Replacing? Crew-10 will relieve the stranded astronauts:
- Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore (NASA)
- Aleksandr Gorbunov (Roscosmos)
What Happened?
- Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner.
- Their return was delayed multiple times due to helium leaks and thruster malfunctions in the Starliner spacecraft.
- NASA had planned to use SpaceX’s Dragon capsule to bring them home in September 2024, but the mission was postponed to avoid leaving the ISS understaffed.
- The astronauts are now scheduled to return to Earth by March 19, 2025.
Big Number
282 Days – That’s how long Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been on the ISS. Their mission was originally planned to last 8 to 10 days.
Why Were NASA Astronauts Stuck on the ISS?
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft—which was meant to bring them back—suffered helium leaks and thruster malfunctions shortly after arriving at the ISS in June 2024.
In September 2024, SpaceX sent its Dragon capsule to the ISS with two extra seats for Wilmore and Williams. However, NASA officials decided not to bring them back at the time, as it would have left the ISS with only two astronauts, reducing operations.
With the Crew-10 mission now safely launched, the astronauts are finally set to return.
Political Controversy: What Did Musk and Trump Say?
Elon Musk and Donald Trump sparked controversy, claiming that the astronauts were stranded in space for political reasons.
Elon Musk: Called the delay “postponed to a ridiculous degree” and suggested the astronauts were being used as political pawns.
President Donald Trump: Without providing evidence, he accused the Biden administration of attempting to “abandon” the astronauts in space.
Suni Williams’ Response: The astronaut dismissed these claims, stating:
“I don’t think those words are quite accurate … We are part of something bigger than ourselves, we are part of the International Space Station.”
Butch Wilmore added:
“It’s been trying at times, no doubt. But stranded? No. Stuck? No. Abandoned? No.”
Key Background: SpaceX’s Role in ISS Missions
Crew-10 is the 10th rotation mission SpaceX has conducted for NASA, ensuring a steady presence of astronauts aboard the ISS.
Delays Before Launch:
- March 6: The mission was postponed due to a “hydraulic ground issue”.
- March 7: Scrubbed again due to bad weather.
What’s Next?
- NASA’s Crew-11 mission is expected to launch no earlier than July 2025, continuing SpaceX’s vital role in ISS operations.
Conclusion
With SpaceX stepping in to resolve Boeing’s failures, NASA is once again relying on Musk’s company for safe transport to and from the ISS. While political figures have debated the delays, the astronauts themselves remain focused on the mission—ensuring humanity’s continuous presence in space.
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