The new crew must reach the ISS before Wilmore and Williams can return home. The delay came after concerns arose about a critical hydraulic system less than four hours before launch. Engineers investigated an issue with one of the two arms holding the Falcon rocket to its support structure, which must retract before liftoff.
The four strapped-in astronauts awaited a final decision as the countdown continued, but with less than an hour to go, SpaceX called off the launch. The company has yet to confirm a new date but indicated the next attempt could happen as soon as Thursday night.
Once at the ISS, the incoming U.S., Japanese, and Russian astronauts will take over for Wilmore and Williams, who have been aboard since June. The two test pilots were originally set to return on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, but critical failures during its first crewed flight forced NASA to extend their stay and transfer them to SpaceX for their journey home.
AFP/Getty Images
Upon arrival at the ISS, the U.S., Japanese, and Russian astronauts will take over duties from Wilmore and Williams, who have been in orbit since June. The two test pilots were forced into an extended stay on the ISS after Boeing’s Starliner capsule suffered major malfunctions during its inaugural crewed mission.
Originally planned as a one-week test flight, Starliner’s mission was cut short due to critical in-flight breakdowns. NASA ultimately decided to return the capsule empty and reassigned Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX for their long-awaited journey home.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
