SpaceX is poised to step in to help rescue NASA astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS), despite the fact that the company and its founder are facing several ongoing federal investigations.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally sent to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June, will be returning early next year on a SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon mission under the auspices of Elon Musk's exploration company due to technical issues with the Starliner, as Fox Business reports.

The Starliner mission was expected to last only a week, but technical problems with the spacecraft have led to a much longer stay for the two astronauts.

Shortly after the mission commenced, the Starliner encountered significant issues, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. These problems forced NASA and Boeing to launch a comprehensive investigation that lasted for weeks.

Boeing Starliner Faces Setbacks as SpaceX Steps In

As the investigation continued, NASA concluded that the Starliner would not be able to safely return the astronauts to Earth. On Saturday, NASA announced that the Starliner would make an uncrewed return, necessitating the astronauts’ return aboard a different spacecraft.

The decision marked a significant setback for Boeing, which has been working to establish the Starliner as a reliable alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

With the Starliner out of commission, SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon mission has been reconfigured to accommodate the return of Wilmore and Williams. The Crew-9 mission is set to launch no earlier than September 24, providing the astronauts with a safe return option early next year.

Musk's Legal Battles Pose Challenges for SpaceX

While SpaceX gears up for the critical mission, the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, are embroiled in several legal challenges that could have implications for its operations.

SpaceX is currently under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over allegations that it forced employees to sign illegal severance agreements. However, this investigation has been put on hold following a lawsuit filed by SpaceX challenging the constitutionality of the NLRB’s structure.

In a related development, a federal judge in Texas recently ruled that SpaceX’s lawsuit could proceed, further delaying the NLRB’s investigation. This legal battle is one of several that SpaceX is currently facing, as federal scrutiny of Musk’s business dealings intensifies.

Department of Justice Files Suit Against SpaceX

In addition to the NLRB investigation, SpaceX is also dealing with a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) last year. The DOJ accused SpaceX of engaging in hiring discrimination against asylum recipients and refugees. SpaceX has denied these allegations, arguing that its hiring practices are dictated by export control laws and regulations, which impose specific restrictions on hiring non-U.S. citizens.

SpaceX has responded to the DOJ’s lawsuit by filing its own suit, challenging the constitutionality of the DOJ’s administrative judges. A federal judge upheld SpaceX’s position, allowing the company’s lawsuit to move forward and effectively pausing the DOJ’s case against the company.

Tesla Faces SEC Investigation Over Self-Driving Claims

Elon Musk’s other major venture, Tesla, is also under federal investigation, adding another layer of complexity to his legal troubles. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating Tesla over claims related to the company’s self-driving feature and whether the statements made by Musk and the company misled consumers and investors.

The SEC’s investigation into Tesla doesn’t stop there. The agency is also looking into Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now rebranded as X) in 2022. Musk has publicly criticized the SEC’s actions, describing them as harassment, and his legal team has been actively fighting the agency’s efforts to subpoena him.

Musk Agrees to Deposition Amid Legal Tangles

Earlier this year, a judge ruled that Musk must participate in a deposition after he skipped one last fall, a decision that underscored the seriousness of the SEC’s investigation. In late May, Musk agreed to comply with the SEC’s request and decided not to appeal the ruling, indicating a potential shift in his approach to the legal challenges he faces.

As SpaceX prepares to undertake the critical mission of returning NASA astronauts from the ISS, the legal and regulatory battles surrounding Musk and his companies continue to unfold. Despite these challenges, SpaceX remains a crucial partner for NASA, particularly as the agency seeks to navigate the ongoing issues with Boeing’s Starliner program.

Conclusion: SpaceX's Key Role Amid Ongoing Scrutiny

In conclusion, while SpaceX is poised to carry out a vital mission to bring NASA astronauts back to Earth, the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, are navigating a complex web of federal investigations and legal challenges.

The issues facing Boeing’s Starliner have further highlighted the importance of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as a reliable option for NASA, even as the company faces intense scrutiny from multiple federal agencies.

As these legal battles continue, the future of both SpaceX and Musk’s other ventures remains closely watched by industry observers and regulators alike.