NASA delays SpaceX Crew-9 mission as rumours about Boeing Starliner's safety emerge

NASA has announced a delay in the launch of SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, which was to carry four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The same vehicle could also serve as a backup for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore after they got stuck in space due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

This “allows more time for mission managers to finalize return planning” for the Boeing spacecraft and its crew, said the space agency in a statement. A press conference regarding the change will be hosted on Wednesday at 12:30 pm ET.

This statement by NASA has given rise to rumours surrounding the fate of Boeing's Starliner, which is stuck at ISS for two months along with the two crewmembers.

In July, NASA suggested that the SpaceX Crew-9 mission could take off as early as August 18, after Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth via Starliner. But now, NASA has confirmed that the SpaceX Crew 9 mission won't takeoff before September 24, keeping them both in space for almost another eight weeks.

The engineers have conducted rigorous tests to pin down the root cause of the trouble that Starliner faced in June during its test flight, Boeing said on July 25. The spacecraft experienced helium leaks and five thrusters suddenly stopped functioning during the flight.

The purpose of conducting tests is to determine whether Starliner could bring its crew back home. But the efforts seem to be halted now.

On July 26, NASA stated that a “flight readiness review” for the spacecraft is expected to start in early August. However, the space agency confirmed to CNN that it has not begun yet as the return date of Starliner is uncertain.

NASA’s acting press secretary, Meira Bernstein, has said that the final decision of when Williams and Wilmore return home lies in the hands of administrator, Bill Nelson.

“His top priority, as always, is the safety of the crew,” Bernstein said.

Boeing has maintained their confidence in Starliner bringing home its crew, according to their August 2 statement. NASA has also indicated that tapping SpaceX for the mission is a contingency but not the desired plan.

Williams and Wilmore have been at the space station for 61 days since their docking on June 6.

(With inputs from agencies)