NASA astronauts are fed up with Elon Musk: “When you have the courage, come talk to us”

The growing dispute between Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, and the astronaut community has reached a boiling point. Recent controversial statements made by Musk regarding the International Space Station (ISS) and former NASA astronauts have sparked widespread outrage, leading some astronauts to challenge Musk directly.

The conflict escalated when Musk suggested that two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, were stranded on the ISS due to political reasons. His claims provoked an immediate backlash from the space community, with ex-astronaut Mark Kelly calling on Musk to board a rocket himself before making further criticisms.

“What a lie. And yet, someone complains about the dishonesty of traditional media,” tweeted Andreas Mogensen, an astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA) and former ISS commander.

Musk’s claims, which lacked any factual basis, alleged that the astronauts’ extended stay on the ISS was linked to the Biden administration’s political agenda. This unfounded accusation was swiftly dismissed by Mogensen, who clarified that the return of Williams and Wilmore had been scheduled since September and had nothing to do with politics.

Musk, known for his combative presence on social media, retaliated by insulting Mogensen and insisting that SpaceX could have returned the astronauts much earlier. His remarks prompted other former astronauts, including Scott Kelly, to defend Mogensen.

“He is one of the most competent, reliable, and honest people I have ever met. This rhetoric is unacceptable but, unfortunately, not surprising. He does not deserve this level of disrespect,” Scott Kelly stated.

Beyond personal attacks, Musk took the controversy a step further by proposing that the ISS should be destroyed “as soon as possible.” He argued that the station had outlived its usefulness and should be deorbited to make way for his long-term vision of colonizing Mars.

His remarks were met with disbelief, particularly given that NASA has already contracted SpaceX to assist in the deorbiting process of the ISS, scheduled for 2030.

The Tensions Between SpaceX and NASA

Musk’s contentious relationship with the space community is not new. His bold and sometimes inflammatory statements have long been a source of tension. However, his recent attacks appear to have crossed a line.

As Mark Kelly pointedly wrote on Twitter: “Hey Elon Musk, when you finally dare to board a rocket, come talk to the three of us.”

Despite the backlash, Musk remains a polarizing figure in the world of technology and space exploration. His ambition to make humanity an interplanetary species remains central to his agenda, but his attitude towards astronauts and institutions that have supported his vision risks jeopardizing his standing within the space community.

If Musk genuinely wants to advance space exploration, perhaps his first step should be earning the respect of those who have already ventured beyond Earth.