After being stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have safely returned to Earth, thanks to a SpaceX Crew Dragon mission. Their return was accelerated by NASA, which cited “favorable conditions” for a March 18 splashdown off the coast of Florida. The mission also transported NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, marking a significant step in rescuing the stranded crew.
In a widely shared video clip posted by Elon Musk, Wilmore expressed gratitude to both the SpaceX founder and former U.S. President Donald Trump for their roles in the rescue operation.
“We have the utmost respect for Mr. Musk and, of course, admiration for President Donald Trump. We are deeply grateful for their support and for their contributions to human spaceflight and our nation. We are thankful for the positions they hold and the efforts they’ve made,” Wilmore said.
Elon Musk shared the astronauts’ message on X (formerly Twitter), pinning the video to his profile. The clip quickly went viral, sparking a range of reactions from social media users. One comment read, “Elon Musk and President Trump are saving lives while making a difference for America and the world.” Another user wrote, “On behalf of rational people everywhere, thank you, Mr. Musk.”
However, not all responses were positive. Some users questioned the political undertones of the mission, with one stating, “They’re grateful because government funding supports space exploration, which is their passion. The delay in their return was due to scheduling, not a crisis. But of course, some prefer drama and conspiracy theories.”
In a separate post, Musk criticized the Biden administration, alleging that it had hindered SpaceX’s efforts to bring the astronauts home sooner. He claimed, “We could have retrieved them six months ago, but the Biden White House blocked it.” Surprisingly, Butch Wilmore supported Musk’s statement during an in-orbit press conference, saying, “I can only confirm that Mr. Musk’s claims are entirely accurate. I trust his account.”
Amid ongoing discussions about the future of the ISS, Sunita Williams was asked about Musk’s earlier suggestion to decommission the station and remove it from orbit. She responded, “I was truly impressed by the amount of scientific research being conducted here. The ISS is thriving and remains a hub of incredible activity. I believe now is not the time to consider shutting it down.”
Following their return, Wilmore and Williams have begun NASA’s 45-day post-mission rehabilitation program to help them recover from the physical toll of extended space travel. As they readjust to life on Earth, the debates surrounding their rescue and the role of private companies in space exploration continue to highlight the evolving dynamics of the industry.
