President Joe Biden playfully mused about rescuing two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June during remarks at the APEC economic conference in Peru last week. Biden humorously referenced his wife’s quips about his antics, saying, “Every time my wife thinks I’m getting out of hand, she says, ‘I’m going to call [Bill Nelson] and have him send you to space.’” The lighthearted comment referred to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who was present at Biden’s meeting with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.
Continuing his jest, Biden added, “I’m a little concerned he may want to send me to space because we got to get some folks back home!” The stranded astronauts in question, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been awaiting their return after a technical failure with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner capsule returned to Earth without its human passengers in September when NASA deemed the journey too hazardous.
Initially planned as an eight-day mission, the astronauts’ stay has extended into an eight-month ordeal. Their rescue won’t involve Biden—or any last-minute presidential space expeditions—but rather SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Crew-9 mission, which docked at the ISS on September 29, includes two empty seats specifically designated for Wilmore and Williams’ return in February.
Biden, at 81 years old, may not be the best candidate for space travel given health concerns and recent public gaffes. However, his humor reflects a lighter tone amid ongoing international collaboration in space exploration. For now, the rescue of the astronauts remains in capable hands, with SpaceX stepping up to bring them safely back to Earth.