US President Donald Trump introduced that he has directed billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX to deliver again NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who’ve been stranded aboard the Worldwide Area Station (ISS) for practically eight months.
The 2 astronauts went into house aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule on June 5 final yr for what was anticipated to be an eight-to-ten-day mission. Nonetheless, technical points have left them caught in orbit far past the deliberate period, sparking rising issues about their well being and well-being. On Tuesday, Trump launched a scathing assault on the Joe Biden administration, accusing it of nearly “abandoning” the astronauts in house. He additionally praised Williams and Wilmore, calling them “courageous” for his or her resilience on this extended mission.
Trump’s path to SpaceX
Taking to his social media web site TRUTH, Trump wrote, “I’ve simply requested Elon Musk and @SpaceX to “go get” the two courageous astronauts who’ve been nearly deserted in house by the Biden Administration. They’ve been ready for a lot of months on @Area Station. Elon will quickly be on his approach. Hopefully, all will likely be protected. Good luck Elon!!! (sic).
Elon Musk’s response
On August 4, 2024, NASA had determined to deliver again the Boeing Starliner capsule remotely, leaving astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard the Worldwide Area Station for an prolonged keep. Now, SpaceX has been tasked with their rescue, following an intervention by former US President Donald Trump. Elon Musk confirmed the information on X, stating, “The President has requested SpaceX to deliver dwelling the two astronauts stranded on the Worldwide Area Station as quickly as attainable. We are going to achieve this. Horrible that the Biden administration left them there so lengthy.”
Sunita Williams steps out on spacewalk
On January 16 this yr, Indian-origin Sunita Williams stepped out on her first spacewalk since arriving on the Worldwide Area Station greater than seven months in the past. As per reviews, she needed to deal with some overdue out of doors restore work alongside NASA’s Nick Hague. They emerged because the orbiting lab sailed 260 miles above Turkmenistan. It was the primary spacewalk by NASA astronauts since an aborted one final summer season. US spacewalks had been placed on maintain after water leaked into the airlock from the cooling loop for an astronaut’s swimsuit. NASA stated the issue has been mounted.
(With AP inputs)
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