Overview

• NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have rejected claims by Elon Musk and Donald Trump that they were 'abandoned' or 'stranded' on the International Space Station (ISS).
• The astronauts clarified in interviews that their extended stay was due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, not political decisions.
• NASA decided to return the Starliner uncrewed after thruster malfunctions raised safety concerns, opting instead to bring the astronauts back using SpaceX's Crew Dragon in March.
• NASA and its independent safety panel have repeatedly stated that politics played no role in the decision, citing safety as the primary concern.
• Both astronauts highlighted their training and commitment, requesting a shift in narrative to focus on their readiness and accomplishments during their mission.