SpaceX Launch Scrubbed: Delays and Tensions Amid Astronauts' Return

NASA and SpaceX called off the Crew-10 launch due to hydraulic issues at Launch Complex 39A. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the mission aims to bring stranded astronauts Wilmore and Williams back to Earth. President Trump authorized Elon Musk to expedite their return from the ISS.

NASA and SpaceX halted the launch of the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday after detecting a hydraulic system problem on the ground support equipment at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The next launch window opens after Thursday evening, pending the resolution of the technical issue.

NASA's broadcast of the launch will start locally at 3:25 PM Thursday, with docking scheduled for late Friday. The mission's objective is to retrieve astronauts Barry Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been on the ISS since June, according to Fox News reports.

Former President Donald Trump urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite the astronauts' rescue, alleging they were abandoned by the previous administration. The astronauts' prolonged ISS stay resulted from Boeing Starliner setbacks, returning to Earth unmanned in September due to incidents including helium leaks.

(With inputs from agencies.)