NASA Crew-10 launch was postponed due to a technical issue with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday. The delay means that four astronauts—Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov—must wait before heading to the International Space Station (ISS).
Why Did NASA Delay the Crew-10 Launch?
With 43 minutes left in the countdown, mission controllers detected a problem with one of the clamp arms holding the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad. NASA has yet to announce a new launch date, though backup opportunities are available this week on Thursday at 7:26 p.m. ET and Friday at 7:03 p.m. ET.
Why This Mission Matters
The Crew-10 mission is crucial because it sets the stage for the long-overdue return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. The duo originally launched on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June and was expected to spend only a week on the ISS. However, technical failures—including malfunctioning thrusters—left them stranded in orbit for nine months.
Now, NASA plans to bring them home aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which arrived at the ISS in September. Their return will include fellow astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Political Controversy
The situation has become a political talking point, with Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump making unverified claims that the Biden administration deliberately delayed the astronauts’ return. However, NASA has maintained that its plan to use a SpaceX vehicle for the journey home has been in place since August.
What’s Next?
Once Crew-10 reaches the ISS, they will replace the outgoing astronauts, allowing Williams and Wilmore to finally head home. However, NASA has yet to announce an exact return date.
For now, the world waits for NASA’s next Crew-10 launch update, which will determine when this critical mission can move forward.
Source: NBC News