At the APEC summit in Peru, President Joe Biden made a lighthearted comment about being sent to space to rescue NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly seven months. Their mission, which was initially planned for just eight days with Boeing’s Starliner, has faced delays due to a malfunction with the capsule. They are now expected to stay in space until February, when SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is set to bring them back.
Biden’s Space Joke with Peruvian President
During his chat with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Biden joked about how his wife would send him to space if he misbehaved, after noticing NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in the audience. “Every time my wife thinks I’m getting out of line, she says, ‘I’m going to call [Nelson] and have him send you to space,’” Biden remarked, adding, “And I’m a bit worried he might actually want to send me to space because we need to get some folks back home!” Boluarte laughed at the playful comment.
Biden Acknowledges Space Milestones
While at the summit, Biden also recognized Peru’s recent signing of the Artemis Accords, which establish standards for space exploration, and celebrated the country’s agreement with the U.S. to secure a research rocket deal. The President’s comments come amid ongoing discussions on global issues, including tensions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
Concerns Over ISS Leaks Amid Space Tensions
Biden’s remarks about the astronauts coincided with a report on the leaking ISS, which has become a source of tension between the U.S. and Russia’s Roscosmos space agency. The leak, which is coming from a Russian-controlled section of the ISS, has been causing air to escape at a rate of 1.7 kilograms per day since 2019. While U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the station’s structural integrity, the Russian team has downplayed the risk of catastrophic failure, stating that they are actively searching for and sealing the leaks.
Read More : Senate Investigation Demanded Over Elon Musk’s SpaceX Deals With Russia
