SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and has one clear goal: to bring back the Boeing Starliner astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station since June. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are patiently awaiting their return to Earth after their Starliner capsule experienced technical problems in June.
This successful launch marks a key step for SpaceX and its Dragon vehicle, which will carry out the mission to bring astronauts back. This time, NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will travel to the ISS to perform experiments and maintenance activities as part of Expedition 72. Their stay will extend until February 2024, when they will accompany Williams and Wilmore back to Earth.
Crew-9 Mission Obstacles
The launch was nearly postponed due to Hurricane Helene, which hit Florida days earlier. However, weather conditions improved enough to allow the Falcon 9 to take off. This vehicle, along with the Dragon capsule, separated from the rocket and successfully docked with the Harmony module of the International Space Station on Sunday evening.
Despite the setbacks with the Starliner , the affected astronauts are trained and prepared for any eventuality. SpaceX, through its Dragon Crew, has once again proven to be a reliable option for astronaut transport missions.
Williams and Wilmore are expected to return in February 2025, bringing to a close a mission fraught with technical and meteorological challenges.
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Source: USA Today
Photos: NASA
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