US: SpaceX launch aimed to get stranded astronauts home postponed

A NASA-SpaceX mission designed to pave the way for two stranded astronauts to return to Earth has been postponed following a technical issue.

The Falcon 9 launch, scheduled to lift off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was delayed due to a hydraulic ground system problem. 

Engineers identified the issue with the hydraulics on one of the clamp arms, raising concerns that the arm might not have opened fully during launch. 

According to the BBC, SpaceX said work was underway to fix the problem, with another potential launch window available on Thursday. However, it remains unclear whether the equipment will be ready in time.

The rocket was intended to carry four new crew members to the International Space Station (ISS), creating a pathway for the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. 

The pair have been stuck in space since June 2024 after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft was deemed unsafe for the return journey. Once the SpaceX mission successfully docks with the ISS, the astronauts could return to Earth within days.

Williams and Wilmore originally left Earth on 5 June 2024 for what was meant to be an eight-day mission. Instead, they have spent over nine months on the ISS, supporting ongoing research and maintenance tasks.

The postponed launch had been expected to facilitate their return as early as Sunday.

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Despite the prolonged stay, both astronauts remained upbeat. Speaking during a news conference from the ISS in September, they described how they were mentally prepared for unexpected developments. “This is my happy place,” said Ms Williams, while acknowledging she missed her family and two dogs.

Mr Wilmore reflected on the Starliner issues, stating they did not feel “comfortable” using it to fly back. He noted that “90% of their training was preparing for the unexpected” and added they would stay for “eight months, nine months, 10 months” if needed.

Ms Williams also shared a more reflective thought on life in orbit: “It opens up the door to making you think a bit differently. It’s the one planet we have and we should be taking care of it.”

Tribune Online reports that SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, recently accused the Biden administration of deliberately preventing his company from rescuing two NASA astronauts who have been stranded aboard the ISS for over eight months. 

He claimed that SpaceX could have brought them back six months ago, but former President Joe Biden refused to approve the mission.

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