Elon Musk’s SpaceX Proposal to Rescue NASA Astronauts

(DailyChive.com) – NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stuck in space for months, with Elon Musk offering a daring rescue that was reportedly turned down by President Joe Biden.

At a Glance

NASA astronauts stranded on the ISS for nine months due to Boeing’s Starliner issues.
Elon Musk proposed using SpaceX Dragon for an early rescue.
President Biden allegedly refused Musk’s rescue offer.
NASA’s impending SpaceX Crew-10 mission will retrieve the stranded crew.

Stranded NASA Astronauts

NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams have endured an unexpectedly long mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to mechanical failures of Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Originally designed to be a short-term mission, their stay was extended to nine months because of thruster failures and helium leaks. The situation has drawn significant attention as it underscores serious logistical vulnerabilities in current space travel technology.

Elon Musk proposed that his company’s SpaceX Dragon capsule could facilitate an earlier return for the astronauts. This suggestion, however, has reportedly been dismissed by President Joe Biden’s administration. Musk believes the refusal was politically motivated, as accepting his offer could favorably highlight former President Donald Trump and his supporters, allowing them to claim a symbolic victory.

Wow, Andreas' and Elon's exchange is pretty wild… There is really a lot to unpack here in a long form response. I will try my best to lay it all out.

TLDR; NASA was slow, but Musk’s insults weren’t the answer.

First, Elon Musk was right — NASA could have brought the… https://t.co/Blr6A7sUJe

— I2ocketGuy (@I2ocketGuy) February 21, 2025

Crew-10 Mission Prepares for Launch

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 has arrived in Florida, readying for an upcoming mission to retrieve the stranded astronauts. Consisting of NASA astronaut Anne McClain, pilot Nichole Ayers, mission specialists Takuya Onishi and Kirill Peskov, Crew-10 will launch aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft. This mission has become a symbol of international cooperation, involving contributions from JAXA and Roscosmos.

“Man, it’s so incredible to fly into this landing strip knowing that we don’t have a return ticket back to Houston.” – NASA astronaut and Crew-10 commander Anne McClain

The launch is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:48 p.m. EDT from Pad 39A, with docking at the ISS expected around 10 a.m. Thursday. Crew-9 will complete handover activities before undocking on March 16. This calculated effort underscores the critical obligation to bring the captivated explorers safely back to Earth, while also dispelling political tensions.

Politics vs. Innovation

Political dynamics have had a conspicuous role in this unfolding situation. While Musk’s offer opened the door for a swift resolution through private sector innovation, it was declined—purportedly for political reasons. Astronaut Barry Wilmore confirmed Musk’s recounting during a press conference, asserting, “I can only say that what Elon Musk says is absolutely factual.” Wilmore’s statement adds another layer to the complex web of politics intertwined with space exploration.

“I can only say that what Elon Musk says is absolutely factual, I don’t know all those details, and I don’t think any of us really can give you the answer that maybe that you would be hoping for.” – astronaut Barry Wilmore

Despite this backdrop of political intrigue, the focus remains on ensuring the astronauts’ safe return, marking another chapter in Elon Musk’s noteworthy contributions to space travel. As Crew-10 steps up to undertake the rescue mission, there is a palpable sense of anticipation around the program’s eventual success amid these past technical and political hurdles.