NASA’s Astronaut Rescue Mission Delayed Again: What’s Going Wrong?

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Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore must continue to make do with calling home for a bit longer.

The planned NASA-SpaceX mission set for March 12, initially intended to return home two astronauts who’ve been on the International Space Station since June, has been postponed for at least two extra days, as per a statement released by NASA.

According to the statement, they had to postpone the launch because of a problem with the hydraulic system in one of the ground support arms for the clamp. The team is now working hard to resolve this issue.

The mission has been adjusted to aim for a takeoff at 7:03 p.m. on March 14 as the earliest possibility, with this plan being announced following the decision by mission control to forego a launch attempt on March 13 due to anticipated high winds and precipitation in Dragon’s flight path.

The SpaceX rocket will transport a new team of astronauts to the International Space Station, where Suni and Butch have been residing for nearly nine months. If all goes well with the launch on March 14, their earliest possible return date to Earth would be March 19, subject to weather conditions.

CBS News reported that the mission was delayed by an hour from its scheduled launch time because SpaceX engineers were investigating a potential problem with the ground support clamp. The news outlet mentioned that the system seemed to be functioning properly, but there were concerns that one of the arms might not retract completely before liftoff.

The crew exchange on the International Space Station takes place following Daryn Wilmore’s public statement, as she expresses concern over her father’s prolonged absence.

The 62-year-old continued, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.”

Suni stated, “We’re well-supplied with food and clothing, our team is fantastic, and we’ve been here a bit longer than anticipated. However, we were prepared for living and working in the International Space Station, and I believe we’ve taken full advantage of the situation.

For more on the astronauts’ time in orbit, keep reading.

She revealed in a February TikTok post that there are many topics she can’t discuss freely, and some details she is still unclear about. However, she mentioned there have been problems, instances of neglect, which is why things keep getting delayed. The situation has been one issue following another.

She continued, “We’ve had so many changes and it’s a bit mentally exhausting.”

In response to President Donald Trump’s statement that they have been “left behind” in space, Butch has since voiced his thoughts.

From the very beginning, the story has been one of being stranded, forsaken, and trapped – and I understand this perspective, Butch explained to CNN in February. However, it’s important to note that our human spaceflight program isn’t centered around such feelings.

The 62-year-old continued, “We don’t feel abandoned, we don’t feel stuck, we don’t feel stranded.”

I chimed in, “We’ve secured sustenance, clothing, and an outstanding team here aboard the International Space Station. Admittedly, our stay has extended more than anticipated, but with our training for living and working up here, we’ve seized every moment to make the best of this unique experience.

For more on the astronauts’ time in orbit, keep reading.

On the 5th of June, 2024, I embarked on an incredible journey into space aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, sharing this experience with my fellow astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore. Our mission was to spend eight days at the International Space Station. Just shortly after our launch, we encountered a “stable and isolated leak” in our propulsion-related plumbing system, as reported by the Associated Press.

During their journey to the International Space Station (ISS), a persistent leak stayed steady, but unfortunately, four additional leaks appeared and five thrusters malfunctioned. Despite these setbacks, they managed to dock securely at the ISS, anticipating that their mission might extend beyond the standard eight-day duration.

Approximately two months following a flawed launch, NASA publicly disclosed the predicament of two astronauts stranded in orbit. At that point, the space agency was still evaluating whether the Starliner would be suitable for another space mission. Boeing, however, expressed confidence at the time that it should have been ready, with the company stating to TopMob News in a released statement, “If NASA elects to alter the mission, we will carry out the required actions to prepare Starliner for an uncrewed re-entry.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I’d like to rephrase it this way: When everyone was worried about Wilmore and Williams being in a tight spot, Scott Hubbard, the ex-NASA official, calmly reassured the Associated Press. He emphasized that these two astronauts, who have already ventured into space before, are simply “kind of stuck,” but with an important qualifier: they’ve got all the necessities and tasks at hand, ensuring they’re well-prepared and busy.

Following NASA’s announcement that Williams and Wilmore would touch down on Earth via a SpaceX mission in either February or March, instead of trying to repair the Starliner, their families voiced their opinions.

Deanna Wilmore, Wilmore’s spouse, expressed their situation to WVLT in August, stating, “You simply need to adapt and be ready for anything unforeseen.

Simultaneously, Williams’ spouse, Michael, expressed his belief that she wouldn’t mind spending more time in space, sharing with The Wall Street Journal, “That’s her content zone.

Prior to completing half a year on board the International Space Station, Williams and Wilmore discussed their unique Thanksgiving celebrations while up there.

Williams stated to NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt from the ISS on November 27 that they have a collection of Thanksgiving-style food stored away, including smoked turkey, cranberries, apple cobbler, green beans and mushrooms, and mashed potatoes.

In addition, Williams emphasized that both she and Wilmore were thriving during their prolonged space voyage.

She reassured them by saying, “There’s no need for concern; we’re doing well.” In fact, we’re exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, and having a blast up here to boot!

Following six months of space exploration, NASA announced that the astronauts would remain in orbit for a longer duration than initially planned. Initially scheduled to return in February, a delay in the SpaceX mission responsible for their recovery prompted an extension of their stay until March or April, according to NASA’s statement at the time.

In February, former President Donald Trump asserted via a post on Truth Social that astronauts Williams and Wilmore were left deserted in space during their initially planned eight-day voyage that unexpectedly extended to eight months. However, after his attention-grabbing statement, the astronauts refuted President Trump’s assertion.

Wilmore made it clear to Anderson Cooper during their February 13 interview that they do not feel left behind, nor do they feel in a difficult situation or isolated. Instead, they come prepared and determined.

Williams interjected during the interview that the pair were “doing pretty darn good, actually.”

We’re well-provided with food and clothing, our team is fantastic, she went on. A bit more time up here than anticipated, but we’ve been preparing for life and work aboard the International Space Station. I believe we’ve maximized this unique opportunity.

In the course of the interview, it was verified that Wilmore and Williams would indeed be making their way back to Earth when SpaceX launches its Dragon spacecraft on March 12.

Wilmore clarified that they will arrive, meet up, and connect their vessel here. After that, we’ll exchange duties for roughly a week before returning, which should be around the 19th of March.

A few days prior to her father’s scheduled homecoming, Daryn Wilmore, Wilmore’s daughter, expressed her thoughts about her father’s space journey and her feelings towards the postponement of his return to Earth.

In her interview with the Daily Mail on March 6, she expressed it as quite draining mentally. She mentioned several problems and oversights, which is why things have consistently been postponed. It seems one problem has been followed by another without end.

Daryn conveyed that her father appeared disappointed but overall was faring well aboard the International Space Station. She further noted, “My father is incredibly tough and resourceful.

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2025-03-13 15:48