Hegseth Wishes 'Godspeed' to SpaceX Crew on Rescue Mission

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his support and prayers for the SpaceX crew set to rescue NASA astronauts from the International Space Station.

In a heartfelt message, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wished ‘Godspeed’ to the SpaceX crew tasked with rescuing NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts have been stranded in space since June 2024, far longer than their intended short stay.

The planned launch of SpaceX’s Crew-10, which was set to bring the astronauts home, was scrubbed due to a hydraulic issue with the ground systems. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than 7:03 p.m. EDT on Friday for the next launch attempt. Hegseth’s message, shared via a video on social media, emphasized the U.S. military’s significant role in the mission, noting that the crew includes active-duty U.S. military officers from the Army and Air Force.

“I just want to take a brief moment to say we are praying for you,” Hegseth said in his video. “We wish you Godspeed, and we look forward to welcoming you all home soon.” The sentiment was echoed by President Trump, who urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite the astronauts’ return, stating, “We love you, and we’re coming up to get you.”

The mission is not only a rescue operation but also marks a significant collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, involving astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia. Once the launch is successful, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry the crew to the ISS for a six-month residency, during which they will oversee the handover before Wilmore and Williams can return to Earth, potentially as early as Sunday.