NASA announced a delay in the launch of SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which aims to transport four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and could potentially serve as a backup for Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft.

The postponement allows more time to finalize return plans for the Starliner and its crew. NASA will provide more details in a news conference on Wednesday.

The delay comes amid speculation about the Starliner’s fate, as it has been attached to the ISS for about seven weeks longer than planned, leaving astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore in uncertainty.

On July 25, Boeing announced that engineers had conducted rigorous ground tests to identify the likely root causes of issues the Starliner experienced during its historic crewed test flight in June, including five non-functional thrusters and helium leaks.

These tests aimed to help NASA determine if Starliner could safely return astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore home. However, these efforts appear to be stalled, CNN has reported.

NASA had anticipated beginning a “flight readiness review” for Starliner in early August, but this review has not started as the agency has not set a return date.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson will ultimately decide when and how the astronauts will return, according to acting press secretary Meira Bernstein.

Written by B.C. Begley