Wed Mar 12 23:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Space Station Crew Change Delayed by Ground System Issue
**Cape Canaveral, FL** – The launch of Crew-10, a SpaceX mission to rotate the International Space Station (ISS) crew, has been delayed due to a hydraulics problem with the launchpad’s ground system at Kennedy Space Center. The launch, originally scheduled for Wednesday evening, was scrubbed by SpaceX. A rescheduled launch attempt may occur as early as Thursday evening.
The Crew-10 mission, a joint operation between NASA and SpaceX, will transport NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the ISS. They will replace Crew-9, which includes NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, whose unexpectedly extended stay has become a point of political contention.
Wilmore and Williams’s prolonged stay stems from issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which they piloted on its inaugural crewed test flight last June. Subsequent problems delayed their return, leading to accusations from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump that the Biden administration blocked an earlier return for political reasons. NASA and a former senior NASA official have denied these claims, stating that such a proposal was never made to the agency and would have been prohibitively expensive.
Despite the controversy, Wilmore and Williams have maintained a positive attitude, stating their enjoyment of their time in space and dismissing the “stranded” narrative. However, Wilmore’s recent comments from the ISS, acknowledging the veracity of Musk’s claims while lacking specific information, have further fueled speculation.
The Crew-10 launch delay, while frustrating, does not impact the overall safety of the ISS crew. NASA insists on a proper handover period before Crew-9 returns to Earth, ensuring the continued presence of at least four crew members aboard the space station.
First Piper 