On June 5, 2024, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for what was intended to be an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). However, due to technical malfunctions—including helium leaks and thruster failures—the spacecraft was deemed unsafe for their return. As a result, NASA decided to keep Williams and Wilmore aboard the ISS while working on an alternative plan to bring them back.
The Political Controversy: Musk’s Claim vs. NASA’s Explanation
Following their return to Earth on March 18, 2025, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk made a bold claim: SpaceX had allegedly offered to bring the astronauts back much earlier, but the Biden administration rejected the proposal “for political reasons.” Musk argued that his company could have returned Williams and Wilmore to Earth months earlier, avoiding their extended stay in space.
This statement quickly became a political flashpoint. Former President Donald Trump echoed Musk’s claim, accusing the Biden administration of neglecting the astronauts. However, NASA officials and the astronauts themselves disputed this narrative. Both Williams and Wilmore stated that they were never “abandoned” and emphasized that NASA’s approach was methodical and focused on ensuring their safe return. NASA maintained that all mission decisions were based on safety and technical considerations—not politics.
How SpaceX Helped Bring Them Home
Despite the controversy, when it became clear that Boeing’s Starliner would not be able to bring Williams and Wilmore back, NASA turned to SpaceX. The Crew-9 mission, which was initially intended to transport four new astronauts to the ISS, was adjusted to accommodate Williams and Wilmore. This required reducing the number of original Crew-9 astronauts to make space for them.
On March 18, 2025, after spending nine months in orbit, Williams and Wilmore boarded SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom for their long-awaited return. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS and completed a smooth 17-hour journey before splashing down off the coast of Florida, marking the successful end of their unexpectedly extended mission.
The Health Implications of Their Extended Stay
Spending nine months in microgravity comes with physical consequences. Long-duration spaceflight can cause muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and fluid shifts that affect vision. Williams and Wilmore were immediately placed into a rehabilitation program upon returning to Earth to help their bodies readjust to gravity. NASA will continue monitoring their health as part of ongoing research into the effects of prolonged space travel.
Did Biden Block Elon?
So, did Joe Biden (or his admin) personally block Elon Musk and SpaceX from bringing Sunita Williams home? The evidence suggests otherwise. While Musk claimed that political reasons delayed SpaceX’s involvement, NASA and the astronauts themselves have firmly stated that safety, not politics, was the priority. The decision to extend their stay was based on ensuring a secure return, and once it was clear that Boeing’s Starliner couldn’t be used, NASA worked with SpaceX to bring them home.
The situation highlights a larger reality: spaceflight is complex, and unforeseen technical issues can disrupt even the best-laid plans. While political debates continue, the successful return of Williams and Wilmore demonstrates the importance of multiple commercial spaceflight providers. SpaceX played a crucial role in their return, reinforcing its reliability as a NASA partner. Moving forward, the challenges faced by Boeing’s Starliner will likely shape future decisions on how NASA collaborates with private space companies to ensure astronaut safety.