A NASA-SpaceX mission to bring two stranded astronauts back to Earth has been postponed due to a hydraulic ground issue at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The Falcon 9 rocket, intended to transport four new crew members to the International Space Station (ISS) and facilitate the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, was delayed.
Williams and Wilmore, who arrived at the ISS in June, have been unable to return due to safety concerns with the Boeing spacecraft.
The two astronauts have spent over nine months at the ISS, assisting with maintenance and experiments. The postponed launch could have allowed their return by Sunday.
SpaceX identified a hydraulic issue with one of the clamp arms on the rocket, which engineers are working to resolve.
While a new launch window may open on Thursday, SpaceX has not confirmed if the issue will be fixed in time.
Williams and Wilmore, accustomed to unexpected situations, remain patient.
Williams expressed her enjoyment of being in space, though she misses her family, while Wilmore acknowledged the challenges but stated they were prepared for such delays.
Both astronauts emphasize the importance of taking care of Earth, the one planet we have.
