A heated row has erupted in space between Elon Musk and Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen over the deployment of two American astronauts on the International Space Station. The controversy began when Musk claimed that former President Joe Biden intentionally abandoned the astronauts for ‘political reasons’.
The International Space Station (ISS) has been the site of a heated row between Elon Musk and Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen. The controversy began when Musk claimed, without evidence, that former president Joe Biden intentionally abandoned two American astronauts, ‘for political reasons’.
Astronauts in Question
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams flew to the ISS in June onboard a Boeing Starliner as part of an eight-day test mission. However, thruster problems led Nasa to decide that Starliner should return without its crew, and the agency tasked SpaceX with bringing the veteran astronauts home.
Musk’s Claim and Response
Elon Musk claimed that Biden had abandoned the astronauts on the ISS for ‘political reasons’ and that SpaceX could have brought them back several months ago. However, when questioned about an alternate rescue plan, Musk failed to reveal any details.
Astronaut Mogensen Responds
Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who has flown to the ISS twice, including onboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule during a 2023 mission, responded to Musk’s claim by calling it ‘a lie’. Mogensen pointed out that Wilmore and Williams are returning with Crew-9 as part of the original plan since last September. He also stated that even now, no rescue ship is being sent up to bring them home; instead, they will return on the Dragon capsule that has been on ISS since last September.
Andreas Mogensen is a Danish engineer and astronaut.
Born on November 2, 1976, in Aarhus, Denmark, he graduated from the Technical University of Denmark with a Master's degree in engineering.
In 2015, Mogensen became the first Dane to travel to space when he embarked on a six-month mission aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft.
During his time in space, he conducted scientific experiments and contributed to the International Space Station's operations.
The Plan for Return
Nasa announced in September that Wilmore and Williams would return on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission’s spaceship. The initial plan was for them to return in February, but due to delays by SpaceX in preparing the spacecraft for Crew-10, their return has been shifted to March.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Musk’s claim highlights the complexities of space travel and the importance of clear communication between space agencies and astronauts.
