Public Reactions to ISS Astronauts’ Return Announcement
Online communities buzzed with excitement following the release of footage featuring stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore as they expressed their gratitude to SpaceX founder Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump. Their return from the International Space Station (ISS) was accelerated by a day, now scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, due to favorable conditions as stated by NASA.
SpaceX’s Role in Astronaut Evacuation
On March 17, Musk’s company SpaceX launched a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS to facilitate the return of Williams and Wilmore, who had been in orbit for over nine months. This mission also included NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The prompt action was part of an assessment by NASA’s mission managers regarding the weather and safety for splashdown in the Atlantic waters off Florida.
“NASA and SpaceX met on Sunday to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida’s coast for the return of the agency’s Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Mission managers are targeting an earlier Crew-9 return opportunity based on favorable conditions forecasted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18,”
Gratitude from Space
In a brief video clip shared by Elon Musk on his X profile, Williams and Wilmore can be seen thanking both Musk and Trump for their support of human spaceflight initiatives. This 25-second video has attracted significant attention and discussion online.
“All of us have the utmost respect for Mr. Musk, and obviously respect and admiration for our President of the United States, Donald Trump. We appreciate them. We appreciate them. We appreciate all that they do for us or human spaceflight for our nation. And we are thankful that they are in positions they are in,”
Diverse Perspectives from Netizens
The astronauts’ messages sparked a variety of responses on social media platforms, particularly on X. While some users expressed appreciation for Musk and the former president, others took a more critical stance.
“Elon Musk and President Trump, saving lives while saving America and the world,”
“On behalf of all sane people worldwide we thank you Mr. Musk,”
“They’re thankful because the government is still paying for space exploration which is their passion…”
Supporters referred to Musk as an “American hero,”with many calling for him to receive recognition for his contributions.
“Thank you, Elon! You’re officially an American Hero. I hope @realDonaldTrump bestows on you the highest honor.”
Conversely, skepticism was also present among users, highlighting concerns over the long wait for the astronauts’ return.
“Amazing how ‘zero gravity’ always looks exactly like a bad wires-and-hairspray job,”
“Why did the previous administration let Boeing’s Starliner fail our astronauts for so long?”
Wilmore’s Remarks on Political Influences
On March 6, Musk revealed that SpaceX could have brought Williams and Wilmore back to Earth six months earlier, but claimed that the “Biden White House”obstructed that effort. This remark gained traction after astronaut Butch Wilmore concurred during a press conference, despite the astronauts previously avoiding political discussions regarding their extended stay in space.
“I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he says, is absolutely factual … I believe him,”
Insights on the ISS and Future Plans
The astronauts also discussed the potential future of the ISS. When asked about Musk’s suggestion to decommission the space station, Williams emphasized the ongoing scientific work occurring aboard the ISS.
“I actually was extremely impressed coming up here and seeing how much science is going on. This place is ticking. It’s just really amazing,”
After spending an impressive 286 days in orbit, Williams and Wilmore have successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida. They were welcomed by a pod of dolphins during their capsule’s inspection, as they awaited retrieval by a recovery ship. Following this, they will participate in NASA’s 45-day post-mission rehabilitation program to aid their recovery from the physiological effects of long-duration spaceflight.