SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission delayed due to Boeing’s Starliner issues

WASHINGTON: The National Aeronautics and Space Administratio (NASA) delayed SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission due to ongoing issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

The mission was initially scheduled for August 18. It is now set for no earlier than September 24.

Read more: How Boeing’s Starliner can bring its astronauts back to Earth

The Starliner is currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS) following its Crew Flight Test (CFT) launch on June 5. It encountered technical difficulties, including thruster failures.

The problems have prolonged the spacecraft’s stay at the ISS and delayed its planned return.

The SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission will now take place after addressing these issues. The Crew-9 team includes NASA astronauts Zena Cadman (commander), Nick Hague (pilot), Stephanie Wilson (mission specialist), and Russian astronaut Alexsandr Gorbunov (mission specialist).

Read more: Astronauts “confidence” Boeing Starliner will bring them home

The delay has financial implications for Boeing, whose Starliner programme has already cost $1.6 billion. NASA has not yet determined if a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule will be used to return the Starliner crew.

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