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NASA’s Crew-9 arrives at Kennedy Space Center for September 26 launch to International Space Station.
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Crew-9 will rescue Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded since June due to faulty Boeing Starliner.
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Williams takes command of ISS Expedition 72, her second stint as commander.
NASA’s Crew-9, comprising astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They will launch on September 26 aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, beginning a five-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and eventually return with Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
Williams and Wilmore have been stranded in space since June after technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner. The spacecraft experienced malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks, prompting NASA and Boeing to deem it unsafe for return. As a result, the astronauts will return on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in February 2025.
Sunita Williams has taken command of ISS Expedition 72, marking her second stint as commander. She expressed gratitude to outgoing commander Oleg Kononenko and praised his flexibility and adaptability. Williams’ leadership comes as the ISS prepares for the arrival of Crew-9 and the continuation of vital scientific research.
The launch will be streamed live online on YouTube, NASA+, and the company’s official website.
🔴 Tune in now to watch @NASA’s @SpaceX #Crew9 crew arrive at the Launch and Landing Facility: https://t.co/aDVL7xlW4d
— NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) September 21, 2024
Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko hands over station command to NASA astronaut Suni Williams at 10:15am ET on Sunday. Kononenko returns to Earth on Monday with NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson and cosmonaut Nikolai Chub. Watch here… https://t.co/mGhQ0R7u0t pic.twitter.com/mJM1txJLPs
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) September 21, 2024
