NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for another attempt to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) after a last-minute scrub on Thursday due to a hydraulic issue. The launch, initially scheduled for early morning, was called off just minutes before liftoff, leaving teams and spectators at Kennedy Space Center in Florida eagerly awaiting the next opportunity.
The Crew-10 mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, aims to transport four astronauts to the ISS for a six-month science expedition. The crew includes NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, along with international partners Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Anna Kikina of Roscosmos.
The scrub was triggered by an anomaly detected in the hydraulic system of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which powers the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Engineers identified the issue during pre-launch checks and determined it was necessary to halt the countdown to ensure the safety of the crew and mission.
“Safety is always our top priority,” said NASA spokesperson Sarah Walker during a post-scrub briefing. “While it’s disappointing to delay the launch, we are confident that resolving this issue will set us up for a successful mission.”
SpaceX teams worked diligently overnight to address the hydraulic problem, and as of Thursday evening, the issue has been resolved. The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are now undergoing final checks ahead of the rescheduled launch attempt, set for Friday morning.
The Crew-10 mission marks another milestone in NASA’s partnership with SpaceX, which has been instrumental in restoring America’s ability to launch astronauts from U.S. soil. Since the first crewed SpaceX mission in 2020, the collaboration has successfully transported dozens of astronauts to and from the ISS, advancing scientific research and international cooperation in space.
Weather conditions for Friday’s launch attempt are favorable, with a 90% chance of acceptable conditions at the launch pad. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:14 a.m. EDT, with live coverage available on NASA TV and SpaceX’s website.
For the astronauts of Crew-10, the delay is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of spaceflight. “We’re ready to go whenever the rocket is,” said mission commander Nicole Mann in a pre-launch interview. “The wait is just part of the journey.”
As the countdown resumes, all eyes will be on Kennedy Space Center, where history is set to be made once again. Stay tuned for updates as NASA and SpaceX prepare to send Crew-10 on their journey to the stars.
