A conservative watchdog group has initiated a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) investigation against the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) regarding the circumstances that have led to two U.S. astronauts being stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period.
The Oversight Project's executive director revealed that they have requested emails between NASA political appointees and the White House, including Vice President Harris' office, who serves as the chair of the National Space Council. The group is also seeking outgoing emails to Harris' presidential campaign.
The filing by the Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project suggests that there may have been a political motive behind the decision to keep astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams at the ISS longer than planned, with implications that Harris prioritized politics over the well-being of the astronauts.
The National Space Council, which plays a crucial role in space policy, was reorganized under former President Trump and has advisory authority over NASA's decision-making. The Oversight Project is demanding correspondence from top NASA officials and communications with Boeing, the manufacturer of the Starliner capsule that transported the astronauts to the ISS.
Despite concerns over the safety of the Starliner capsule, NASA officials and Boeing expressed confidence in its ability to return the crew safely to Earth. The astronauts themselves remained positive about their extended stay in space, with Williams expressing her love for being in space and Wilmore ensuring he could vote in the upcoming election from orbit.
In response to the FOIA probe, a NASA spokesperson clarified that the National Space Council does not make operational spaceflight safety decisions but is actively involved in advancing the nation's space priorities in collaboration with various partners.
