SpaceX Launches Mission to Rescue Stranded Astronauts

SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket to return two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally set for a short stay, were delayed after the Starliner experienced propulsion problems. NASA chose to bring them back using SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which launched on September 30. The Crew-9 capsule will dock with the ISS, and the stranded astronauts will return to Earth after a crew handover.

SpaceX Launches Rescue Mission for Stranded Astronauts

On Saturday, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a mission to return two American astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for months, according to NASA. The rocket took off at 1:17 pm (1717 GMT), marking the first crewed mission from a newly developed launch pad.

NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov were aboard the rocket, leaving two empty seats for returning astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, whose stay on the ISS was extended due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner, which had delivered Wilmore and Williams to the ISS in June for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission, experienced propulsion problems, forcing NASA to rethink their return plans.

After conducting extensive tests on the Starliner, NASA decided to send it back to Earth without a crew and to use SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission to bring the astronauts home. The Crew-9 mission, originally scheduled for mid-August, was delayed due to both the Starliner evaluation and the impact of Hurricane Helene.

SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is expected to dock with the ISS on Sunday, where Hague and Gorbunov will begin their five-month stay. After a crew handover, the Crew-8 members, including Wilmore and Williams, will return to Earth on another SpaceX craft. In total, Crew-9 will carry out around 200 scientific experiments during their mission.