NASA's stranded astronauts have put on a brave face throughout their uncertain nine-month stay

NASA's stranded astronauts have put on a brave face throughout their uncertain nine-month stay on the International Space Station - but that appeared to slip in a recent interview.

Barry Wilmore seemed to suggest he and his crewmate Sunita Williams had been caught up in political games in Washington.

SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk, whose spaceflight company was tasked with bringing Williams and Wilmore home later this month, has repeatedly said the Biden administration 'abandoned' them for 'political reasons.'

Musk has also said that former president Joe Biden rejected his offer to bring the astronauts home early because it would've made Donald Trump and his supporters 'look good.'

During a Tuesday press conference, Williams and Wilmore were asked if the Biden administration did in fact decline Musk's offer to bring them home early, to which Wilmore replied that Musk's claim 'is absolutely factual.'

'I can only say that Mr Musk, what he says, is absolutely factual,' Wilmore said, noting he and Williams were not briefed on what happened behind closed doors. So I believe him. I don't know all those details, and I don't think any of us really can give you the answer that maybe that you would be hoping for,' he added.

The astronaut then gushed over Trump and Musk, saying 'we have the utmost respect for them.'

Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14464311/Stranded-NASA-astronauts-shocking-admission-abandoned-blame.html