NASA Delays Crew-9 Launch Amid Starliner Issues, Faces 19-Day Deadline

Aug 7, 2024, 10:45 AM

NASA is facing significant challenges with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which has been docked at the International Space Station for over two months. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were transported to the ISS by Starliner, have not yet returned due to unresolved technical issues with the spacecraft. NASA faces an urgent 19-day deadline to address these issues. As a result, NASA has delayed the launch of SpaceX's Crew-9 mission from August 18 to September 24 to allow more time to address these issues. NASA is considering using SpaceX's Crew Dragon as an alternative to bring the astronauts back if Starliner remains unsafe. The decision on whether to use Starliner or Crew Dragon is expected by mid-August. If Crew Dragon is used, the astronauts may return in February 2025. The situation has resulted in a public relations challenge for Boeing and has affected NASA's mission schedules.