NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), targeting a launch on Thursday, September 26. The mission includes two key astronauts: NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos’ Aleksandr Gorbunov, with additional seats reserved for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore.
However, Tropical Cyclone Nine, moving toward the Gulf of Mexico and Florida, could potentially disrupt the scheduled launch.
The Flight Readiness Review at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center confirmed that SpaceX’s crew transport system and the space station are fully prepared. Upon launch, the astronauts will spend approximately five months conducting research and maintenance aboard the ISS.
A Falcon 9 rocket is set for rollout to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday, September 24, where it will undergo a static fire test. A final dress rehearsal is also planned to simulate launch-day operations.
The crew, along with SpaceX and the U.S. Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, are closely monitoring Tropical Cyclone Nine. The storm poses a potential threat to the launch timeline, and weather conditions will be continuously evaluated as the launch day approaches.
Nick Hague will serve as the mission commander, while Aleksandr Gorbunov will act as the mission specialist. "The mission aims to conduct valuable research and experiments aboard the International Space Station," officials said. The success of the launch remains dependent on weather conditions.
Why is Sunita Williams Stuck in Space?
Sunita Williams and her mission partner, Butch Willmore, have been aboard the ISS since their mission started in 2024. However, their stay has been extended until February 2025.
The extension is due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which experienced several malfunctions, making it unsafe for the astronauts to return. As a result, the decision was made to bring them back in 2025 using a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule instead. This unexpected situation means they will spend an additional eight months on the ISS.
NASA officials stressed the importance of safety. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, “The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety.”
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