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NASA’s Crew-9 mission will rescue astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded on the ISS due to Starliner spacecraft technical issues.
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Williams and Wilmore have spent nearly 4 months in space, exceeding their original 10-day mission.
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Crew-9, launching September 26, will bring Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov to the ISS, and Williams and Wilmore will return with them in February 2025.
NASA’s Crew-9 mission has taken on an unexpected role: rescuing astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded on the International Space Station (ISS). Technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft have left the astronauts in space for nearly four months, far exceeding their original 10-day mission.
Williams and Wilmore launched on June 5, 2024, as part of Starliner’s first crewed flight test. However, malfunctions and helium leaks made it unsafe for return. NASA spent weeks troubleshooting, but ultimately decided to bring them home on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission.
Crew-9, launching September 26, will carry Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov to the ISS. When the mission concludes in February 2025, Williams and Wilmore will return with them aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule. This rescue mission highlights NASA’s commitment to safety and its ability to adapt to unexpected challenges.
The Crew-9 launch will also mark a historic milestone as the first crewed launch from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. With Hague’s leadership, this mission will ensure the safe return of Williams and Wilmore, while paving the way for future space exploration.
