To rescue stranded astronauts sunita williams and Butch Wilmore from the international Space Station, nasa announced on wednesday that the launch of the NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 mission had been delayed. The rocket and spacecraft are unaffected, but the ground-based hydraulic system problem was the reason for the delay.
A hydraulic problem on the ground caused the Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to be postponed. Another launch attempt is possible, and it might take place on Thursday.
The rocket was scheduled to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the international Space Station and transport four additional crew members. "There was an issue with the hydraulic system on the ground side," nasa launch commentator Derrol Nail said, adding that "everything was fine with the rocket and the spacecraft itself."
Stranded on ISS since june 2024
Due to delays in their return spacecraft, both nasa astronauts have stayed aboard the ISS since june 2024, longer than their intended mission duration. Their extended stay was caused by faults in the Boeing Starliner capsule, which was originally supposed to return them. The astronauts have been stuck aboard the ISS for over nine months, even though their initial stay was only supposed to last eight days.
Trained to 'expect the unexpected'
Butch Wilmore, 61, and Suni Williams, 58, have managed their prolonged stay on the ISS with grace. In september of last year, they stated at a press conference that they were taught to "expect the unexpected."
Williams declared, "This is my happy place," despite acknowledging that she missed her two dogs and family.
Wilmore said that their return was unsafe due to issues with the Starliner spaceship. However, he pointed out that the majority of their training was devoted to dealing with unforeseen circumstances.
They were ready to stay for "eight months, nine months, 10 months" if necessary, he continued.
A hydraulic problem on the ground caused the Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to be postponed. Another launch attempt is possible, and it might take place on Thursday.
The rocket was scheduled to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the international Space Station and transport four additional crew members. "There was an issue with the hydraulic system on the ground side," nasa launch commentator Derrol Nail said, adding that "everything was fine with the rocket and the spacecraft itself."
Stranded on ISS since june 2024
Due to delays in their return spacecraft, both nasa astronauts have stayed aboard the ISS since june 2024, longer than their intended mission duration. Their extended stay was caused by faults in the Boeing Starliner capsule, which was originally supposed to return them. The astronauts have been stuck aboard the ISS for over nine months, even though their initial stay was only supposed to last eight days.
Trained to 'expect the unexpected'
Butch Wilmore, 61, and Suni Williams, 58, have managed their prolonged stay on the ISS with grace. In september of last year, they stated at a press conference that they were taught to "expect the unexpected."
Williams declared, "This is my happy place," despite acknowledging that she missed her two dogs and family.
Wilmore said that their return was unsafe due to issues with the Starliner spaceship. However, he pointed out that the majority of their training was devoted to dealing with unforeseen circumstances.
They were ready to stay for "eight months, nine months, 10 months" if necessary, he continued.
