The NASA astronauts who were cut off at the International Space Station have been stuck in space for a long time because the Biden administration was lacked “urgent” in securing their return to Earth, according to the White House press secretary.
Barry launched “Poach” Wilmor and Sony Williams from the Boeing Starlener spacecraft in June 2024 on a mission that lasts only eight days. But when the spacecraft faced technical problems, NASA decided that it is not safe to return to Earth with astronauts on the plane.
As a result, Willmore and Williams have been stranded at the International Space Station – until Tuesday when they traveled to Earth, off the coast of Florida.
“There was supposed to be anonymous astronauts there for eight days, but because of the Biden administration's lack of urgency, they ended up spending nine months in space,” press secretary Caroline Levitte told reporters on Wednesday at the White House. “Joe Biden's lack of courage to act boldly and resolve a great reason for the lack of Butch and Suni to respond until yesterday. But President Trump does not waste time.”
Barry launched “Poach” Wilmor and Sony Williams from the Boeing Starlener spacecraft in June 2024 on a mission that lasts only eight days. (NASA via AP)
A spokesman for Biden did not immediately respond to the request to comment from Fox News Digital.
Levitt said that after taking office in January Elon Musk To divide a plan to save astronauts with NASA. William and Williams returned to Earth on a SpaceX dragon capsule.
Musk issued his congratulations to the Spacex team and people for successfully withdrawing the rescue, and also thanked Trump for giving priority to the task.
Trump directed Spacex and CEO of Tesla Elusk to develop a plan to save astronauts with NASA. William and Williams returned to Earth on a SpaceX dragon capsule. (Getty | Fox News)
“Thanks to the excellent work of the Spacex team that works with NASA, astronauts are now safe at home,” Musk said on Tuesday during an exclusive interview about “Hanity”. “Thus we congratulated the Spacex Nasa teams on excellent work.”
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Mousse, who also heads the Ministry of Governmental Efficiency in the Trump Administration (DOGE), said in an interview with Hanity in February, that he offered the Biden administration to return astronauts, but it has been refused to offer for political reasons.
Willmur said in an interview with him in March that he trusted the Moses' evaluation of the situation, although he said he did not know the nature of private discussions.
“I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he is saying is completely realistic … I think it is,” Wimor said on March 4 during a press conference in the orbit.
However, Willmur said he did not participate in the discussions, and therefore he was personally unable to verify the conversations.
“We have no information on that,” Wilmor said. ” “What was presented, what was not presented, who has been presented, how this process went. This is the information that we do not have simply.”
