As we’ve reported, NASA astronauts were rescued by SpaceX after being stranded in space aboard the International Space Station for more than nine months. Their trip was supposed to last eight days, but problems with the Boeing Starliner that was supposed to return them to earth left them floating weightless out in the ether.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had offered his help to the Biden administration, but he reported that they turned him down for “political reasons.” Putting the lives of brave astronauts on the line for a few extra votes tells you everything you need to know about that failure of a president, Joe Biden.
President Trump made their return a priority, and after a spectacular SpaceX rescue mission, they are safely back on terra firma.
On Monday, they gave their first interview since returning home and how they tried to make the best of a trying situation.
"My first thought was we've just got to pivot," Williams said, recalling the moment the duo learned their return would be delayed.
"If our spacecraft was going to go home based on decisions made here, and we were going to be up there 'til February, I was like, 'Let's make the best of it.'"
A little "excited" about the prospect of spending months in orbit, Williams enthused about her love for living in space – witnessing "scientific experiments" unfolding around them and seeing the changes made to the International Space Station since her last visit.
"I'm honored to be a little part of it," she added.
Watch:
🚨 WATCH: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams deliver a message to @POTUS and @elonmusk after being rescued from space after 9 months:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 31, 2025
"I respect you, I trust you... they've earned my trust. And for that, I am grateful... It's empowering, it's strengthening for our… pic.twitter.com/fAB7JmYDDH
The tweet continues:
"I respect you, I trust you... they've earned my trust. And for that, I am grateful... It's empowering, it's strengthening for our nation." "I'm just glad that they're involved, and they take notice... it's important and I appreciate that them and many more people took notice of it."
Read More: Splashdown! Dragon Returns With Stranded Astronauts, Landing in Gulf of America
Wilmore meanwhile spoke about his sense of duty and what space travel meant for mankind:
"It's about what this human spaceflight program is about. It's our national goals," he told Hemmer.
"And I have to wrap… my mind around, what does our nation need out of me right now? That's going back to when we're in the fleet, and we're operating from the pointy end of the spear… We're an instrument of our nation, of our national goals. Did I think about not being there for my daughter's high school year? Of course. But… we've trained them to be resilient, my daughters and my family."
Wilmore continued, sharing that his family is forced to develop some resilience, an understanding that there's no "given" when it comes to "test flights."
"We don't know what's going to happen," he continued. "We might not be back in eight days or whatever the plan was. Focus on that, focus on the mission. Certainly [we] deal with the personal side of it, but I can't let that interfere with what I'm called to do at the moment."
Despite the health issues posed by such a long time without gravity, both brave astronauts appeared to be in good shape. Asked what they what would like to say to Trump and Musk, Wilmore replied:
"I respect you, I trust you. You’ve given me no reason not to trust you, either one of them…" Wilmore replied.
"I am grateful that our national leaders actually are coming in and taking part in our human spaceflight program, which we see is hugely important global significance, and they take an active role. Based on the past and what we see now, with them doing that… it's not just refreshing, it's empowering. It's strengthening, for our nation. I think it's a good thing for our nation when the national leaders, especially something that's high visibility, are involved in the process. I'm grateful for that."
The astronauts were only supposed to be up there for 8 days and now have been there for 8 months.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2025
SpaceX could have sent up another Dragon and brought them home 6 months ago, but the Biden White House (not NASA) refused to allow it.
President Trump asked to bring them back as… https://t.co/BVsHRn2Ocf
The entire episode highlights once more the difference between a true leader and a craven one. Bless our brave astronauts, and welcome home!
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