Sunday, March 16, 2025
59.2 F
New York

SpaceX delays flight to replace NASA’s stuck astronauts after launch pad problem

By  MARCIA DUNN

Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A launch pad problem prompted SpaceX to delay a flight to the International Space Station on Wednesday to replace NASA’s two stuck astronauts.

The new crew needs to get to the International Space Station before Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams can head home after nine months in orbit.

Concerns over a critical hydraulic system arose less than four hours before the Falcon rocket’s planned evening liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. As the countdown clocks ticked down, engineers evaluated the hydraulics used to release one of the two arms clamping the rocket to its support structure. This structure needs to tilt back right before liftoff.

Already strapped into their capsule, the four astronauts awaited a final decision, which came down with less than an hour remaining in the countdown. SpaceX canceled for the day. Officials later said the launch was off until at least Friday.

Once at the space station, the U.S., Japanese and Russian crew will replace Wilmore and Williams, who have been up there since June. The two test pilots had to move into the space station for an extended stay after Boeing’s new Starliner capsule encountered major breakdowns in transit.

Starliner’s debut crew flight was supposed to last just a week, but NASA ordered the capsule to return empty and transferred Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX for the return leg.

___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Hot this week

Australia: US influencer draws backlash for taking baby wombat from mum

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the latest to...

US team headed to Moscow for Ukraine talks as Putin visits Kursk

Bernd Debusmann Jr BBC News, White House US officials are headed...

Philippines Duterte’s first night in a jail cell is a pivotal moment for the ICC

Anna Holligan Reporting fromThe Hague What we know about Duterte's ICC...

Naples residents camp outdoors after overnight quake

Many people in and around the Italian city of...

John Lewis keeps bonus freeze despite profit jump

John Lewis profits jump but no staff bonus again Tom...

Topics

Australia: US influencer draws backlash for taking baby wombat from mum

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the latest to...

US team headed to Moscow for Ukraine talks as Putin visits Kursk

Bernd Debusmann Jr BBC News, White House US officials are headed...

Philippines Duterte’s first night in a jail cell is a pivotal moment for the ICC

Anna Holligan Reporting fromThe Hague What we know about Duterte's ICC...

Naples residents camp outdoors after overnight quake

Many people in and around the Italian city of...

John Lewis keeps bonus freeze despite profit jump

John Lewis profits jump but no staff bonus again Tom...

Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa, Blessed Geza and the drama of succession

A man called Bombshell fires up Zimbabwe's succession battle Shingai...

SpaceX launch to help stranded astronauts home postponed

A Nasa-SpaceX mission that aimed to clear the way...

Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Man Utd co-owner’s firm recalls SUVs over risk of doors flying open

João da Silva Business reporter, BBC News Ineos Automotive, the vehicle...

Related Articles

Popular Categories