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NASA and SpaceX postponed the Crew-9 mission launch to September 28 due to Tropical Storm Helene’s potential impact.
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The storm’s high winds and heavy rain may disrupt launch operations at Cape Canaveral.
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The Crew-9 mission will serve as a rescue mission for stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) due to Tropical Storm Helene. The storm is forecast to intensify into a Category 3 hurricane, potentially disrupting launch operations at Cape Canaveral.
The Crew-9 mission, originally scheduled for September 26, will now launch on September 28 at 1:17 p.m. EDT, weather permitting. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded on the ISS due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, will return home with the Crew-9 team in February 2025.
Led by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, the Crew-9 team will perform vital research and maintenance tasks aboard the ISS. Safety remains NASA’s top priority, and the delay will ensure the crew and equipment are protected from the storm’s effects.
The new launch date is contingent on favorable weather conditions. NASA and SpaceX will continue to monitor the storm’s progression, adjusting plans as needed for a successful mission.
