A Space Force Guardian set to be the first member of the service to launch into space this month may be left in limbo after a NASA and SpaceX mission has been significantly delayed by issues that have stranded two astronauts on the International Space Station.
Col. Nick Hague was originally set to pilot NASA’s Crew-9 six-month mission to the ISS aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft on Aug. 18. However, ongoing issues with the Boeing Starliner that have left the two astronauts in space for months longer than expected have pushed back the next mission until at least September, the agency said in a statement.
“NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24, for the launch of the agency’s Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station,” the agency said last week. “This adjustment allows more time for mission managers to finalize return planning for the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test currently docked to the orbiting laboratory.”
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Boeing’s Starliner aircraft launched June 5 with astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams and traveled to the ISS for a mission that was set to last eight days. But their mission has now stretched to more than two months — and it’s possible their stay could last until sometime next year — after mechanical issues involving the Starliner’s thrusters and concerns over…
