SpaceX delays flight for return of NASA’s stuck astronauts

Source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers / Getty

NASA and SpaceX mission to bring home two astronauts stranded in space for nine months has been delayed due to a launch pad problem on the Falcon 9 rocket.

The new crew must reach the ISS before the current astronauts can return home, which was originally supposed to be just 8 days in orbit.

The mission was set for a March 14 launch, aimed to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams from the International Space Station.

The delay comes after pressure from President Donald Trump to expedite their return, as the astronauts had been stranded due to propulsion system malfunctions on their original spacecraft.

Despite the emotional toll on their families, Williams maintains a positive outlook on their extended mission in space.

NASA has worked to expedite their return by swapping a delayed SpaceX capsule for one available sooner.

@cbsmornings

With just 45 minutes remaining before launch, NASA called off an attempt to send the next crew to the International Space Station to allow more time to troubleshoot a ground system hydraulics issue. If the problem can be resolved in time, NASA and SpaceX will make another attempt to launch the crew Friday evening. The scrub will add at least two more days to the eventual return to Earth of Starliner commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams. #space #spacetok #spacex #nasa

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