NASA announced on Tuesday that it is postponing SpaceX's Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by a month to address ongoing issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which remains docked at the ISS.

The Crew-9 launch, initially set for August 18, is now scheduled for no earlier than September 24. This delay allows NASA more time to address and finalize the return plan for the Boeing Crew Flight Test, which is crucial for certifying the Starliner for regular astronaut missions.

Boeing's Starliner was launched in June as part of a high-priority test mission, a prerequisite for NASA's certification. However, the mission has been extended due to persistent propulsion system problems. This has raised concerns about Starliner's ability to safely return its crew, prompting NASA to consider using SpaceX's Crew Dragon for their return.

The delay has incurred Boeing a $125 million loss, adding to the company's $1.6 billion total loss on the Starliner program since 2016. Boeing continues to face challenges in developing a spacecraft that can compete with SpaceX's more experienced and cost-effective Crew Dragon.

(With input from Reuters)