United States: A NASA-SpaceX mission intended to clear the way for the return of two “stranded” astronauts has been delayed due to a hydraulic ground issue. The Falcon 9 rocket, set to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was postponed, with the next possible launch window scheduled for March 14th at 19:03 Eastern Time (23:03 GMT).
The mission aims to transport four new crew members to the International Space Station (ISS) and facilitate the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. The pair has been at the ISS since June 2024 after their scheduled return on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was deemed unsafe. Once the SpaceX mission reaches the station, Williams and Wilmore could return to Earth within days.
Crew-10 is go for launch! pic.twitter.com/pGoRLlj6Uv
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 12, 2025
The two astronauts originally embarked on an eight-day mission but have now spent over nine months assisting with maintenance and experiments aboard the ISS. Addressing their extended stay, Wilmore acknowledged that astronaut training prepares them for the unexpected, while Williams expressed a deepened appreciation for Earth.
SpaceX attributed the launch delay to a hydraulic issue affecting one of the rocket’s clamp arms, raising concerns about its ability to open fully during launch. Engineers are working on a fix ahead of the scheduled attempt.
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