Overview
- Musk said he was told there were instructions from the White House not to attempt a rescue of astronauts until after the 2024 vote.
- He suggested officials signaled such an operation would be politically undesirable and linked his treatment to his support for Donald Trump’s campaign.
- NASA had earlier decided the delayed crew would come home on SpaceX’s Crew-9, which splashed down on March 19, 2025 with Alexander Gorbunov, Barry Wilmore, Sunita Williams and Nick Haig aboard.
- The extended stay followed Boeing Starliner’s 2024 test-flight issues, including failed maneuvering thrusters during docking and a subsequent helium leak.
- NASA previously rejected claims of political interference in the return decision, with Administrator Bill Nelson stating in August that politics played no role.