nNASA is sticking to its original plan to return astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) despite calls from President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon musk to expedite the process. In a statement issued on January 29, the agency confirmed it is working to bring back the Crew-9 astronauts “as soon as practical” after the arrival of the Crew-10 mission, ensuring a smooth handover between expeditions.
The decision comes after both Musk and Trump took to social media to urge the immediate return of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch wilmore, who have been aboard the ISS as June. Their stay, initially planned for a couple of weeks, has stretched to over eight months due to issues with their Starliner spacecraft. “The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so,” Musk posted on January 28. Trump echoed this sentiment, stating, “I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to ‘go get’ the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space.”
NASA’s statement, though, indicates no notable changes to its existing timeline. The agency plans to have Williams and Wilmore return on the Crew-9 Crew Dragon spacecraft, currently docked at the ISS, alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos’ Aleksandr Gorbunov. This return, expected in early april, will follow the launch of Crew-10, scheduled for late March. This sequence ensures a seamless transition between the two crews on the ISS.
Notably, NASA’s approach rules out an immediate return of crew-9 before Crew-10’s launch. While this would allow SpaceX to fulfill the request to bring Williams and Wilmore home “as soon as possible,” it would leave only three astronauts, including Don Pettit, on the ISS. Such a scenario could hinder research and other activities beyond essential station maintenance.The agency’s statement leaves room for the possibility of accelerating the Crew-10 launch, though the mission has already been delayed from February to late March due to issues with the new Crew Dragon spacecraft. Industry sources suggest that continued challenges with the spacecraft could further postpone crew-10, possibly prompting NASA and SpaceX to use the Crew Dragon intended for the Ax-4 private astronaut mission by Axiom Space, currently planned for April.
Neither Musk nor Trump have provided additional comments or responded to NASA’s statement since their initial posts.
| Key Details | Information |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Astronauts to Return | Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, Aleksandr Gorbunov |
| Return Vehicle | crew-9 Crew Dragon |
| Expected Return Date | Early April |
| Crew-10 Launch Date | Late March |
| Reason for Extended Stay | Issues with Starliner spacecraft |
| Potential Option | Use of Ax-4 Crew Dragon if Crew-10 is further delayed |
NASA’s cautious approach underscores its commitment to safety and operational efficiency, even as external pressures mount. The agency’s focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition between crews while maintaining the ISS’s critical functions.