Trump asks SpaceX to bring home stranded astronauts 'as soon as possible'
Jan 29, 2025
Key Points
- President Trump asked SpaceX to bring home two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station for nine months, and SpaceX confirmed it would execute the mission.
- Boeing's Starliner capsule that launched the astronauts proved unsuitable for their return due to technical issues, leaving SpaceX's Dragon as the only viable option.
- The directive elevates SpaceX's standing after the Biden administration sidelined the company from major tech events, while intensifying scrutiny of Boeing's troubled 2024 performance.
Summary
President Trump has asked SpaceX to bring home two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station "as soon as possible," and SpaceX confirmed it would do so.
The astronauts were originally scheduled for a two-day mission but have been on the station for approximately nine months. The Boeing Starliner capsule that brought them up experienced technical issues, making it unsuitable for their return. SpaceX's Dragon capsule is now the designated vehicle for bringing them home.
This development carries political undertones. The Biden administration had notably excluded SpaceX and Tesla from major tech and EV events despite SpaceX's dominance in commercial spaceflight. The Trump directive signals a shift in that dynamic, with Elon Musk and SpaceX positioned as essential to a high-profile government operation. The request also arrives amid broader criticism of Boeing's 2024 performance, including manufacturing and safety issues that damaged the company's reputation.
There was earlier debate over whether the astronauts were technically "stranded"—some argued they could return on the Boeing capsule if necessary, framing the situation as a safety precaution rather than an emergency. However, it became clear that the Boeing pod was not a viable return option, making SpaceX's involvement necessary.