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Crew launch to International Space Station delayed again

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket sits at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on May 5, 2024. Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are scheduled to blast off on the Boeing Starliner's first crewed mission for a week long stay on the International Space Station

You might remember at the start of the month when we told you Nasa had delayed a space flight launch just two hours before blast off.

Now, the launch has been delayed again - by another 4 days.

It's the first astronaut mission of Boeing's new Starliner spacecraft and will be taking two Nasa astronauts to the International space station.

The delay is because of a small helium leak that was discovered earlier this week.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Nasa astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will be staying at the space station for a week

The new date for the launch is now 25 May.

The extra days will allow the team to assess the small leak and check the spacecraft is safe for lift off!

Nasa officials have said that the leak is not a huge problem but want more time to assess the situation.

The rocket will send Nasa astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station for roughly a week-long stay.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

This is the first test flight of the Boeing spacecraft.

The mission is the first test flight of the Boeing aircraft.

It is key in demonstrating that the spacecraft can safely take a crew to and from the space station for Nasa.

Astronaut Sunita Williams said 鈥淭his is where the rubber meets the road, where we are going to leave this planet, and that is pretty darn cool鈥.

It's hoped the long-delayed mission will go ahead on 25 May as now planned.