A NASA astronaut currently stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has acknowledged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s claims regarding political interference in their delayed return to Earth. Barry “Butch” Wilmore, one of the two astronauts stuck on the ISS due to a malfunction in Boeing’s Starliner capsule, commented on Musk’s assertion that the Biden administration intentionally postponed their rescue for political reasons.
During a press conference from orbit, Wilmore stated that he believes Musk’s claims, although he and fellow astronaut Sunita Williams admitted they were unaware of the specific discussions behind the delay. Musk, who has been vocal about his support for former President Donald Trump, suggested that the delay was politically motivated to avoid giving SpaceX positive publicity before the upcoming presidential election. The controversy has sparked debates about the intersection of politics and space exploration, as NASA, SpaceX, and government officials remain silent on the matter.
Elon Musk made headlines when he accused the Biden administration of stalling NASA’s decision to bring back the two astronauts from the ISS. He claimed that his company, SpaceX, had offered assistance in returning Wilmore and Williams but was allegedly ignored due to political considerations.
Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Musk stated, “They didn’t want the publicity. Working with us to bring the astronauts back would have made Trump look good, and they didn’t want that before the election.” His remarks quickly gained traction, drawing both criticism and support.
Musk’s SpaceX had launched a Crew Dragon capsule to the ISS last September, which successfully docked with the station. However, NASA chose to delay its return, leading to speculation about the reasons behind the extended stay of Wilmore and Williams. The astronauts have now spent nearly nine months aboard the ISS, significantly longer than originally planned.
During the press conference, Wilmore was asked about Musk’s claim that their return was delayed due to political reasons. While he initially denied political involvement, his later response seemed to align more with Musk’s viewpoint.
“I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he says, is absolutely factual … I believe him,” Wilmore stated. However, he also admitted that neither he nor Williams had direct knowledge of the discussions that took place regarding their return.
“We have no information on that, though, whatsoever,” Wilmore clarified. “What was offered, what was not offered, who it was offered to, how that process went—that’s information that we simply don’t have.”
His comments have fueled speculation, as Musk’s allegations suggest that political considerations may have influenced the handling of the situation.
Despite the growing controversy, neither NASA nor government officials have publicly addressed Musk’s accusations. The space agency has maintained that the delay was due to technical concerns rather than political interference.
NASA has been working closely with both Boeing and SpaceX on their respective spaceflight programs, but the malfunction of the Starliner capsule has drawn attention to the agency’s reliance on private companies for crewed missions. While SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has successfully completed multiple missions, Boeing’s troubled Starliner program has faced repeated delays and technical issues.
Apart from the rescue controversy, Musk has also voiced his opinion that the ISS should be decommissioned as soon as possible so that resources can be redirected toward Mars exploration. However, the astronauts aboard the station, particularly Sunita Williams, disagree with this stance.
Williams highlighted the ongoing research and scientific advancements taking place on the ISS, emphasizing that the station remains a crucial hub for space exploration.
“I actually was extremely impressed coming up here and seeing how much science is going on,” Williams said. “This place is ticking. It’s just really amazing. So I would say we’re actually in our prime right now. … I would think that right now is probably not the right time to call it quits.”
Her statement contrasts sharply with Musk’s view, as he has repeatedly advocated for shifting focus toward deep-space exploration, including the colonization of Mars.
Wilmore and Williams are expected to return to Earth in the coming weeks, marking the end of their unexpectedly prolonged mission. NASA has not provided a definitive explanation for the delay, but Boeing’s ongoing issues with the Starliner program have led to further scrutiny of its viability for future missions.
Despite the controversy, SpaceX continues to play a dominant role in NASA’s human spaceflight program. With the growing involvement of private space companies, questions about political influence, funding, and decision-making in space exploration will likely remain a topic of debate in the years to come.
As Wilmore and Williams prepare for their return, the situation raises broader concerns about how space exploration decisions are made and whether political considerations play a role in critical missions. With the future of the ISS and long-term plans for space travel hanging in the balance, the intersection of politics, technology, and human spaceflight remains an evolving and complex issue.
Science Quiz | The places where things stay the same
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This map shows radiation leftover from the Big Bang right after it happened. It depicts how the temperature of the radiation is anisotropic: different at different distances. What’s this radiation called? Credit: NASA
Published – April 23, 2025 01:05 pm IST
Vivo has launched a new T series model in India, the Vivo T4 5G, at under Rs.25000. The smartphone is packed with a massive 7300mAh battery, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, and others, providing plenty of attractive features. But, does it compete with other smartphone models under the same price bracket? Well, to gain a greater understanding, we have compared the smartphone with Oppo’s latest F series model, the Oppo F29 5G, which was launched earlier this year with some great durability features. Therefore, know how the Vivo T4 5G compares to Oppo F29 5G and which smartphone should you buy under Rs.25000.
Also read: Vivo V50e review in 10 points: What’s good and what’s not
The Vivo T4 5G is 7.9mm slim and weighs only 199 grams, which is impressive considering the massive battery size. It features a circular camera module on the rear panel housing two lenses and an LED ring light. It also offers IP65 and MIL-STD-810H ratings for enhanced durability. On the other hand, the Oppo F29 5G comes with a unique and durable design, as it has received military-grade certification as well as three IP ratings of IP66, IP68, and IP69.
For display, the Vivo T4 5G features a 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 5000nits peak brightness. Whereas, the Oppo F29 comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1200nits peak brightness.
Also read: Vivo T4 5G launched with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC in India at Rs.21999- All details
The Vivo T4 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. On the other hand, the Oppo F29 is equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, offering smooth day-to-day performance. Both smartphone offers plenty of AI-powered features.
For lasting performance, the Vivo T4 5G is backed by a 7300mAh battery that supports 90W fast charging. Whereas, the Oppo F29 comes with,500mAh battery that comes with 45W SUPERVOOC charging support
The Vivo T4 5G features a dual camera setup that includes 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera and a 2MP secondary camera. Whereas, the Oppo F29 also features a dual camera system with 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, Vivo T4 5G features 32MP selfie camera, and Oppo F29 features 16MP front camera.
The Vivo T4 5G comes at a starting price of Rs.21999 for 8GB+128GB storage variant, and the Oppo F29 comes at a price of Rs.23999 for a similar storage variant.
In a groundbreaking discovery that could rewrite our understanding of Earth’s inner dynamics, geologists have revealed that the Indian Plate, the massive slab of Earth’s crust carrying the subcontinent, is splitting in two. A part of it is peeling away and sinking deep into the Earth’s mantle, a process known as delamination. This hidden and previously undetected geological activity could have far-reaching consequences, not just for India but for the entire planet. It may alter earthquake patterns, reshape landscapes, and challenge long-standing scientific theories about plate tectonics. The findings have stunned experts and sparked urgent calls for deeper research into Earth’s shifting crust.
The Indian Plate has long been a key player in one of the world’s most dramatic geological collisions, the crash into the Eurasian Plate that formed the Himalayas. But now, scientists have found something even more astonishing beneath its surface.
Using advanced seismic analysis and helium isotope tracking in the springs of Tibet, researchers have uncovered evidence of delamination, a rare process where the dense lower part of a tectonic plate peels away and sinks into the Earth’s mantle. This means the Indian Plate is effectively tearing apart, creating a massive vertical rift deep underground.
“We didn’t know continents could behave this way,” said Douwe van Hinsbergen, a geodynamicist at Utrecht University. “This changes some of our most fundamental assumptions about solid earth science.”
The discovery has serious implications for earthquake risk in the Himalayan region, already one of the most seismically active zones on Earth. According to Stanford geophysicist Simon Klemperer, the tearing and sinking of the plate could create new stress points in the Earth’s crust, triggering more frequent and potentially more powerful quakes.
One major concern is the Cona-Sangri Rift in the Tibetan Plateau, a deep fracture that could be directly tied to the ongoing delamination. If this connection is confirmed, regions along this rift could face heightened seismic danger in the years ahead.
The study, published in the American Geophysical Union, not only reveals the Indian Plate’s splitting but also suggests that other continental plates might be undergoing similar processes. Scientists are now scanning regions worldwide for signs of comparable plate behaviour, a move that could revolutionise how we understand everything from mountain formation to plate tectonics itself.
“This could be a missing piece in our puzzle of how continents evolve and interact,” said Fabio Capitanio, a geodynamicist at Monash University, who cautions that the findings are still early-stage. “It’s just a snapshot, and much more data is needed to understand the full picture.”
If confirmed, this discovery could explain long-standing mysteries about how and why certain mountain ranges form, and even help scientists make better predictions about future earthquakes and geological hazards. More importantly, it opens a new frontier in Earth science, one that challenges old models and demands a fresh look at how our planet works.
For now, scientists continue to monitor seismic waves and chemical signatures in the region, hoping to unravel the evolving story of a continent in motion and the silent, subterranean split that could shake the world.
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