SpaceX Scrubs Launch to Bring Stranded Astronauts Home

SpaceX's launch to the ISS was delayed due to a hydraulic issue, impacting the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They have been in space for nine months due to Boeing's Starliner's issues. The intervention by Trump and Musk politicized this routine mission, awaiting a SpaceX craft.

On Wednesday, SpaceX called off a planned launch intended to send a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS), delaying the return of U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The launch had to be scrubbed due to a hydraulic system issue with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

Wilmore and Williams have been aboard the ISS for nine months following a trip on Boeing's Starliner capsule that returned without them last year due to technical malfunctions. NASA plans to send them back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, but the mission has been delayed multiple times.

This Crew-10 mission, which was rearranged due to pressure from Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, was initially set to take place on March 26. With new developments, the astronauts' return is postponed as the agency ensures readiness for a secure trip back to Earth.

(With inputs from agencies.)