SpaceX Crew-10 Launch Delayed Due to Technical Issue, Awaited Mission Set to Bring Stranded Astronauts Home

SpaceX postponed the launch of its Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) due to a hydraulic issue with the transporter-erector. The mission, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, was scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center. The delay impacts the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been on the ISS since June 2024 due to issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule. Crew-10's arrival will allow Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The mission aims to conduct research and maintain the ISS, with a shortened handover period to expedite Crew-9's return. SpaceX is assessing the hydraulic issue for potential launch opportunities on March 13 or 14.