SpaceX has postponed its mission to bring NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back from the International Space Station (ISS) after a technical issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s ground support system.

The launch, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, has now been rescheduled for Friday. The delay means that Wilmore and Williams, who have been aboard the ISS since June 2024, will have to wait at least two more days before they can begin their journey home.

Originally, the astronauts’ mission was planned to last 10 days, but they were forced to extend their stay after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft developed propulsion issues. Wilmore and Williams are set to return to Earth on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft once the new Crew-10 team, consisting of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov, arrives to replace them.

NASA stated that the delay was due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The space agency confirmed it is working to resolve the issue and plans to attempt the launch again on Friday.

If the mission proceeds as scheduled, Wilmore and Williams could depart the ISS by March 19. Williams expressed her anticipation of reuniting with her family, noting the extended mission had been “a roller coaster” for them. “We’re here, we have a mission – we’re just doing what we do every day, and every day is interesting because we’re up in space and it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

During her time on the ISS, Williams has also experienced noticeable weight loss due to the effects of microgravity. Astronauts often lose weight in space due to changes in muscle mass and fluid distribution. Williams, a seasoned astronaut, has adjusted to the physical demands of prolonged space travel, but losing weight remains a common challenge for those spending extended periods in orbit. Despite this, she remains focused on her mission and excited about returning home.