Elon Musk’s Tirade Against Astronaut Over Space Station Delay
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and close advisor to former US President Donald Trump, has launched a vitriolic attack on an astronaut who accused him of lying in a recent interview.
Musk’s Remarks
During a joint interview with Trump on Fox News, Musk claimed that American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over eight months, were "left up there for political reasons."
Astronaut’s Rebuttal
Andreas Mogensen, a Danish astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), denounced Musk’s statement as a "lie" in a post on X, a platform acquired by the billionaire.
Musk’s Response
Musk responded with a scathing comment, calling Mogensen "totally clueless" and claiming that their return had been delayed for political reasons. He stated that SpaceX "could have brought them back months ago" and that he had "offered this directly to the Biden Administration" but was rebuffed.
Mogensen’s Refutation
Mogensen, who has previously flown to space with SpaceX, countered Musk’s claims, stating that "both you and I know that Butch and Suni are coming back with Crew-9, as planned since last September."
Background of Astronaut’s Stranding
Wilmore and Williams, initially scheduled for an eight-day mission, have been on the ISS since June 2023 due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that carried them there. After extensive testing, NASA decided to return the Starliner empty and tasked SpaceX with bringing the astronauts back.
Crew-9 Mission
In September 2023, SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission lifted off to the ISS with two passengers instead of the planned four, leaving two seats available for Wilmore and Williams.
Delayed Return
Their return has been contingent on the arrival of the Crew-10 mission, which was delayed in December by NASA and SpaceX before being moved forward a week ago.
Political Overtones
While the astronauts have repeatedly stated that they are well taken care of and not abandoned, their situation has recently taken on political overtones. Former President Trump has accused his successor, Joe Biden, of "leaving" the astronauts behind.
Implications of Musk’s Remarks
Musk’s comments have highlighted the increasing politicization of space exploration and underscore the potential for misinformation to spread in this critical area. They have also raised questions about Musk’s credibility as an advisor to the US government and as a leader in the private space industry.
