A launch pad issue forced SpaceX to delay its planned flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. The mission aims to replace NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded in orbit for nine months.
Technical Issue Halts Launch Minutes Before Liftoff
The delay occurred due to concerns over a critical hydraulic system, arising less than four hours before the scheduled liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The hydraulics control the release of one of the two arms that clamp the Falcon rocket to its support structure. This structure must tilt back before launch.
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As the countdown continued, engineers assessed the situation while the four astronauts aboard the SpaceX capsule awaited a final decision. With less than an hour remaining, SpaceX ultimately called off the launch for the day.
The company has not yet announced a new launch date but indicated that the next attempt could be as soon as Thursday night.
New Crew Must Arrive Before Wilmore & Williams Return
The delayed mission is critical because the newly assigned crew from the US, Japan, and Russia must reach the ISS before Wilmore and Williams can return. The two test pilots have been on the space station since June, initially planning for a short-term stay.
Their extended mission resulted from Boeing’s Starliner capsule encountering significant issues in transit. The Starliner’s debut crew flight was originally intended to last just one week. However, NASA decided to bring the capsule back to Earth empty due to multiple malfunctions, leaving Wilmore and Williams dependent on SpaceX for their return trip.
With this delay, their journey back home faces another setback, awaiting the successful arrival of the replacement crew.
