SpaceX Crew Dragon Set to Launch for Sunita Williams’ Rescue Mission
The SpaceX Crew Dragon space capsule is scheduled to launch on September 28, aiming to bring back stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Originally set for September 26, the launch was postponed due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Helene, which is intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico.
Launch Details and Viewing Options
According to NASA, the liftoff is targeted for 6:40 PM IST on September 28 from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The docking is expected to occur around 2:30 AM IST on September 29.
Live coverage of the prelaunch briefing, the launch, post-launch news conference, and docking will be available on NASA+ as well as the agency’s official website. Viewers can also stream NASA content across various platforms, including social media, and can follow the livestream on YouTube for live updates.
Mission Overview
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will transport NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to the International Space Station (ISS) for a five-month scientific mission. This flight represents the ninth crew rotation and the tenth human spaceflight to the ISS supported by Dragon since 2020, under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Williams and Wilmore are slated to return to Earth aboard the same spacecraft in February 2025.
Delay and Crew Adjustments
The Crew-9 mission was initially scheduled for mid-August but faced delays to allow for a thorough analysis of issues concerning Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was still docked at the ISS at the time. Notably, the Crew-9 team was reduced from four to two members to accommodate the return of Williams and Wilmore.
Following the detection of several mechanical issues, including helium leaks, after Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS, NASA determined that it would be too risky for them to return on the Boeing Starliner. Consequently, the Starliner was sent back without a crew and successfully landed in New Mexico on September 6.
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