NASA insider blows whistle on space agency's plot to sabotage Musk's rescue mission
THE DETAILS …
Jeff Nosanov, a former manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory with nearly a decade of experience, has raised serious concerns about the agency's handling of American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly nine months as of March 7, 2025. Originally sent to the ISS in June 2024 for an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, the astronauts’ return was indefinitely delayed due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that rendered the spacecraft too risky for reentry. Nosanov, now an aerospace consultant, accuses NASA of downplaying the situation, repeatedly claiming the astronauts are not “stranded” and are content to remain in orbit, despite their extended stay of 274 days—nearing the record for the longest time spent in space by a woman, as Suni Williams, aged 59, approaches Peggy Whitson’s 289-day mark.
Nosanov’s allegations intensify with claims of political interference, suggesting NASA may have sabotaged a potential rescue mission by Elon Musk’s SpaceX due to pressure from the Biden administration. According to Nosanov, Musk offered to retrieve Wilmore and Williams earlier, an assertion Musk himself made on Joe Rogan’s podcast, claiming the White House rejected the proposal. This narrative gained traction when Wilmore, a seasoned Navy test pilot, appeared to corroborate Musk’s account during a Tuesday briefing, hinting at bureaucratic resistance to SpaceX’s involvement. Nosanov argues that NASA’s reluctance to accept Musk’s help stems from a desire to protect its reputation and its partnership with Boeing, whose Starliner program has faced significant setbacks, rather than prioritizing the astronauts’ safe return.
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The prolonged ordeal has sparked public concern and skepticism about NASA’s transparency and decision-making. Nosanov emphasizes the inherent dangers of spaceflight, noting that every day in zero-gravity poses risks to the astronauts’ health, despite their apparent willingness to serve their country. Critics, including Nosanov, question why NASA did not act sooner to leverage SpaceX’s proven Crew Dragon capabilities, especially given Boeing’s technical failures. As the agency now plans a return for Wilmore and Williams later in March 2025, Nosanov’s whistleblowing underscores a broader tension between NASA’s institutional priorities and the urgent needs of its astronauts, fueling debates over whether political agendas have compromised a mission that should have concluded months ago.