Enlarge / SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Cargo Dragon spacecraft, showcased alongside the newly constructed launch tower and access arm at SLC-40. (credit: SpaceX)
NASA Postpones Crew 9 Mission to ISS
On Tuesday, NASA officially announced a rescheduling of its upcoming astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), known as Crew 9, which will now occur no sooner than September 24. This new timeline indicates a significant shift from the previously anticipated launch date of August 18.
Reasons Behind the Delay
The agency has emphasized that this delay is aimed at enhancing “operational flexibility.” They are currently assessing how viable Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is for future missions. In their announcement, NASA explained that this postponement provides mission planners with additional time to finalize their strategies regarding the return plans for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test that is presently docked at the ISS.
Additional Considerations for Scheduling
Apart from these considerations regarding Boeing’s hardware, NASA also referenced specific scheduling complications related to traffic management at the ISS. Notably, plans for a Soyuz launch set for mid-September have been cited as a factor necessitating this adjustment.
This strategic planning not only ensures safety but also facilitates smoother operations aboard the orbital laboratory amidst increasing international traffic in low Earth orbit.
