In a historic mission, SpaceX successfully rescued two NASA astronauts who had been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months! The astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, for what was intended to be an eight-day mission. However, serious technical issues—including propulsion malfunctions and helium leaks—left them stuck in orbit indefinitely.

NASA turned to SpaceX to facilitate the astronauts’ return, which then launched a Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, docked with the ISS and safely brought the astronauts back to Earth. The mission concluded with a splashdown off the coast of Florida, marking yet another major achievement for SpaceX and its increasingly vital role in modern space exploration.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, asserted that his company had offered to bring the astronauts back earlier, but the proposal was declined by the Biden administration for political reasons. Musk stated, “SpaceX could have brought the astronauts back after a few months at most, and we made that offer to the Biden administration. It was rejected for political reasons, and that’s just a fact.”

Despite the significance of this mission, many established mainstream media outlets either ignored or downplayed SpaceX’s role in the rescue. Networks such as CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times provided minimal coverage or framed the story in a way that diminished SpaceX’s contributions.

Conversely, conservative media and independent journalists highlighted the mission extensively, emphasizing how SpaceX succeeded where Boeing, a company often favored by traditional defense and aerospace interests, had failed. The stark contrast in coverage sparked debates across social media regarding media integrity, selective reporting, and the growing influence of independent journalism.

The fact is, SpaceX played a critical role in safely returning two stranded astronauts, reinforcing its status as a leader in space travel and innovation. While the media may attempt to downplay or reshape the narrative, history will remember this as yet another groundbreaking achievement for Elon Musk and his team at SpaceX.

Dolphins welcome SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft off coast of Florida after splashdown.