SpaceX delays Crew-10 launch due to ground system issue; stranded NASA astronauts await rescue after nine months aboard ISS.
NASA — SpaceX’s highly anticipated Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed after a hydraulic malfunction was detected in the ground support system at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A.
The mission, which was scheduled to launch Wednesday evening, is critical for retrieving NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded aboard the ISS since June 2024 due to complications with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The delay was announced just hours before the scheduled liftoff.
NASA and SpaceX officials cited a problem with one of the clamp arms on the transport erector, a key component of the ground-side hydraulic system that supports the Falcon 9 rocket during pre-launch operations.
Although the rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft remain unaffected, mission managers opted to scrub the launch to address the issue and ensure safety. The next available launch window is no earlier than Thursday at 7:25 p.m. EDT.
This delay adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging mission. Wilmore and Williams were originally transported to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner for what was planned as a short eight-day mission.
However, shortly after their arrival in June 2024, the Starliner experienced significant technical failures, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. These issues rendered it unsafe for a crewed return to Earth, forcing NASA to rely on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for their eventual retrieval.
Ahead of Wednesday’s postponed launch, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared a heartfelt video message wishing the Crew-10 team “Godspeed.”
Hegseth highlighted the importance of this mission not only as a rescue operation but also as a testament to American ingenuity in space exploration. He also relayed sentiments from former President Donald Trump, who criticized current leadership for delays in bringing home the stranded astronauts while praising Elon Musk and SpaceX for stepping up.
The Crew-10 mission is pivotal for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and marks SpaceX’s tenth crew rotation flight to the ISS.
Now targeting no earlier than Friday, March 14 for Falcon 9's launch of @NASA's Crew-10 mission → https://t.co/VPdhVwQFNJ pic.twitter.com/JVszH0DjC8
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 13, 2025
The Falcon 9 rocket is set to carry four astronauts—Commander Anne McClain and Pilot Nichole Ayers of NASA, Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Mission Specialist Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos—for a six-month stay aboard the station.
Once they arrive, Wilmore and Williams are expected to join their return trip back to Earth after nearly nine months in orbit.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that safety remains the agency’s top priority. He explained that while delays are frustrating, they are necessary to ensure mission success and astronaut well-being.
Nelson also expressed confidence in SpaceX’s ability to deliver reliable solutions under challenging circumstances.
Wilmore and Williams have shown remarkable resilience during their extended stay on the ISS. Despite being stranded far beyond their original mission timeline, they have continued contributing to scientific research, station maintenance, and technology demonstrations. NASA has ensured they have adequate supplies and support throughout this period.
The delay also underscores ongoing challenges in human spaceflight operations. While SpaceX has become a reliable partner for NASA with its Crew Dragon spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner program continues to face setbacks that highlight the complexities of developing safe and dependable spaceflight systems.
The Starliner’s issues have drawn criticism from some quarters, with calls for greater accountability in ensuring such problems do not recur.
The Crew-10 mission was initially set to introduce a brand-new Crew Dragon spacecraft but has since been reassigned to use a previously flown vehicle named “Endurance.” This decision was made after delays in completing fabrication and testing of the new capsule pushed its readiness timeline beyond March 2025.
The Endurance spacecraft has already proven its reliability on three previous missions—Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7—and is undergoing final checks before its next flight.
As NASA and SpaceX prepare for Thursday’s revised launch window, all eyes remain on Kennedy Space Center. This mission represents not only an important step forward in bringing Wilmore and Williams home but also a broader test of resilience and adaptability in modern space exploration.
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