NASA’s upcoming crew mission, SpaceX Crew-9, has been postponed by two days from its launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft is set to transport NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to the International Space Station (ISS) for a mission lasting more than five months.
The Upcoming Mission Is Important For Both NASA and SpaceX
This mission is crucial for both NASA and SpaceX, as it will also facilitate the return of veteran astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS. The two astronauts arrived at the space station aboard Boeing’s Starliner, which was recently returned to Earth empty due to various technical issues that could have endangered their lives had they returned in it.
This will also be the first human spaceflight mission to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The delay is due to “Tropical Storm Helene’s unfavorable impact on weather conditions at the launch site on Thursday.”
The mission aims to assist SpaceX in gathering crucial data that is anticipated to improve crew safety and security while enhancing the overall mission.
SpaceX is now aiming for a launch date of September 28, with a backup opportunity set for September 29.
Crew Size Adjusted For SpaceX Crew-9
The SpaceX Crew-9 mission was initially planned to transport four astronauts to the ISS. However, due to Williams and Wilmore being stranded at the space station, the mission had to reduce the crew size by two to accommodate their return.
The presence of Hague and Gorbunov on the International Space Station is essential for ongoing scientific research and the station’s maintenance.
Since the Crew-9 mission is set to last over five months, during which the astronauts will conduct more than 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, Williams, Wilmore, Nick, and Aleksandr are expected to return to Earth around February 2025.
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