Less than an hour before takeoff, SpaceX delayed the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket from Florida. The mission was carrying four astronauts who were supposed to replace NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are currently stranded in space.
NASA and SpaceX explained that the launch of the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) had to be postponed due to a technical issue. The problem was found in a hydraulic system that controls a clamp arm, which is an important part of the ground support equipment at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This system plays a key role in securing the rocket before liftoff.
As a result, SpaceX and NASA decided to delay the mission to ensure safety. A new launch date will be announced after the issue is resolved.
SpaceX Postpone Return of NASA Astronauts
On Wednesday, SpaceX canceled the planned launch of a Falcon 9 rocket that was set to carry four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission was crucial as it would have paved the way for the long-awaited return of NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded in space for nine months due to issues with Boeing’s faulty Starliner spacecraft.
NASA had scheduled the launch from Florida to send a replacement crew to the ISS, allowing Wilmore and Williams to finally return to Earth. However, the mission was postponed due to a hydraulic system problem with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket, NASA confirmed in a statement. A new launch date will be announced once the issue is resolved.
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NASA Delays Crew-10 Launch
NASA announced that the next possible launch for the Crew-10 mission is scheduled for Thursday at 7:26 p.m. EDT (2326 GMT), depending on the review of the technical issue. If the launch proceeds as planned, the Crew-9 astronauts will depart from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, March 17.
The mission was originally planned for a later date, but NASA moved it up by two weeks after former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk urged for the earlier return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The two veteran astronauts, who are also US Navy test pilots, have been stuck in space for nine months.
Wilmore and Williams were initially expected to stay on the ISS for just eight days, but their mission was extended due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner returned to Earth last year, leaving them behind as NASA and Boeing worked on resolving the issues.
A SpaceX rocket, originally set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral at 7:48 p.m. ET (2348 GMT), was carrying a team of four astronauts, two from the U.S., one from Japan, and one from Russia.
NASA confirmed that astronauts Wilmore and Williams have been actively working on research and maintenance aboard the space station while remaining safe. In a March 4 interview, Williams shared her excitement about reuniting with her family and pet dogs once she returns home.
Reflecting on her family’s experience, Williams said, “It’s probably been more of a roller coaster for them than for us. We stay focused on our mission every day, and being in space is always an incredible experience.”
While Crew-10 was initially considered a routine rotation, it has become politically charged. Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump have criticized the delay, blaming it on the Biden administration without presenting any evidence.
NASA initially planned the return for March 26 but later swapped the delayed SpaceX capsule with an alternative one to expedite the process. The intervention by Musk and Trump in NASA’s spaceflight schedule has been seen as an unusual move.
Starliner Delays Force NASA Astronauts to Return on SpaceX Capsule
As soon as the new Crew-10 mission arrives at the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts Wilmore, Williams, Nick Hague (NASA), and Aleksandr Gorbunov (Russia) will be able to return to Earth. Their ride home will be a capsule that has been docked at the ISS since September as part of the previous Crew-9 mission.
NASA has confirmed that Wilmore and Williams must wait for Crew-10 to arrive to ensure enough U.S. astronauts remain on board for essential station maintenance.
Wilmore and Williams originally traveled to the ISS in June as part of Boeing’s Starliner test mission. However, due to propulsion system malfunctions, NASA determined it was too dangerous for them to return in the same spacecraft. As a result, they will now be brought home in a SpaceX capsule.
Boeing developed the Starliner under a $4.5 billion NASA contract to compete with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has been NASA’s primary astronaut transport vehicle since 2020. While last year’s mission was Starliner’s first crewed test flight, a key step toward NASA certification, ongoing technical issues and cost overruns have caused repeated delays.
Despite similar funding, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has been operational since 2020, while Starliner continues to face setbacks, leaving NASA dependent on SpaceX for ISS crew missions.
Also Read: Sunita Williams’ Return to Earth Delayed Further, Announces NASA
FAQs
Q.1. Why was the SpaceX Crew-10 launch delayed?
Ans. The launch was postponed due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Q.2. Why are NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams stranded in space?
Ans. They were originally aboard Boeing’s Starliner, but propulsion system failures made it unsafe for their return, delaying their mission for nine months.
Q.3. When will Wilmore and Williams return to Earth?
Ans. NASA plans to bring them back once the Crew-10 mission reaches the ISS, which is expected soon after resolving technical issues.
Q.4. Why is SpaceX’s Crew Dragon being used for their return?
Ans. Due to Starliner’s malfunctions, NASA opted for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has been reliably transporting astronauts since 2020.
Q.5. Has political pressure affected the Crew-10 mission?
Ans. Former President Trump and Elon Musk have criticized the delays, blaming the Biden administration, but NASA’s schedule adjustments were made for safety reasons.
