Trump coordinates rescue mission for stranded space astronauts


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After a prolonged nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have commenced their return journey to Earth. Their departure, initiated at 1:00 a.m., follows President Trump’s coordination with SpaceX for their rescue, culminating in his final directive to NASA: “IT IS TIME.”

The extended mission, initially planned for eight days, was complicated by Boeing’s setbacks and the Biden administration’s oversight. The astronauts’ return team includes NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, with SpaceX providing crucial support for their safe return.

Following a thorough evaluation of weather conditions and splashdown possibilities off Florida’s coast, NASA and SpaceX officials determined Tuesday, March 18, as the optimal return date. This scheduling allows the crew to complete necessary handover procedures while avoiding forecasted adverse weather conditions.

The mission has sparked political discourse, with President Trump addressing the situation on social media. He said, “This began when I asked Elon Musk to go up and get the abandoned Astronauts, because the Biden Administration was incapable of doing so. They shamefully forgot about the Astronauts, because they considered it to be a very embarrassing event for them – Another thing I inherited from that failed group of incompetents. Elon and I have taken on the project, sending up the SpaceX Dragon, which has successfully docked and, hopefully, while there is always danger involved in such a mission, they will soon be on their way home — Taking off tomorrow, and landing on Wednesday.”

Trump highlighted his collaboration with NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro, stating, “She is coordinating our Team of highly respected Scientists, Space Engineers, and various other ‘geniuses,’ who has agreed to let our Astronauts come home long prior to the two week period originally approved by NASA. Janet was great. She said, ‘Let’s bring them home NOW, Sir!’ — And I thanked her.”

The president emphasized safety priorities while acknowledging the mission’s urgency, adding, “Safety always comes first, and maximum standards are being adhered to. But after eight long months for a mission that was supposed to be eight days, IT IS TIME. I look forward to seeing Butch and Suni, and thank you again to NASA and Janet Petro!”

The rotation of crew members was facilitated by SpaceX’s Crew-10, comprising NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, who arrived Sunday to replace Williams and Wilmore.

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