NASA Delays Crew-9 Mission Launch Due to Starliner Issues

Crew-9 mission was postponed due to Starliner aircraft (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA – The Crew-9 mission, a NASA and SpaceX commercial flight, was canceled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on August 18. This happened because NASA postponed its launch schedule.

The US space agency said that they had to focus on another mission, namely Boeing's CST-100 Starliner aircraft which has not been able to return from the ISS. NASA needs at least a month to check when the Starliner test mission ends.

"This adjustment provides more time for mission managers to complete re-planning for the space agency's Boeing Crew Flight Test which is currently docked at the orbiting laboratory," NASA said.

Crew-9 will launch as early as September 24. This postponement schedule will provide more time for astronauts and teams preparing for the mission. Astronauts can train longer and technicians can re-check launch preparations.

There are several changes that will occur when Crew-9 is launched. This mission will be launched from Space Launch Complex 40 because Launch Complex 39A will be used to launch the Europa Clipper on October 10.

On the other hand, the Starliner will be stuck on the ISS for longer. The spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will leave the ISS early next year, meaning Wilmore and Williams will need more than three months to return home.

The decision was made to avoid safety risks. NASA officials are concerned about the performance of Starliner's reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. The plan is for Starliner to return to Earth, while the two astronauts will remain on the ISS.