The NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission, set to launch on September 26, 2024, will see NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov embarking on a six-month scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS). For the first time, a crewed mission will be launched from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, adding a new dimension to SpaceX’s launch capabilities and enhancing operational flexibility (NASA). This mission will also formularize Starliner astronauts currently aboard the ISS with the Dragon spacecraft operations in preparation for their return flight home after the completion of the Crew 9 mission.
The Crew
Nick Hague, a U.S. Space Force colonel, will command the Crew-9 mission. This will be Hague’s third trip to space but his second journey to the ISS. During his previous missions, he conducted three spacewalks, upgrading the station’s power systems and installing a docking adapter for commercial spacecraft. Hague’s first mission in 2018 experienced a dramatic in-flight abort due to a rocket booster failure, which ended in a safe landing. His resilience and expertise have been pivotal to the NASA missions he’s been a part of, and his current role represents a landmark for the U.S. Space Force as he becomes the first active-duty Guardian to launch into space.
Aleksandr Gorbunov, making his first trip to space, will serve as the mission’s flight engineer. Before being selected as a cosmonaut in 2018, Gorbunov was an engineer for Rocket Space Corp. Energia and supported various spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. His expertise in spacecraft engineering will be instrumental during their six-month stay on the ISS, where he will collaborate on scientific research and maintenance tasks.
Mission Goals
Crew-9 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, designed to maintain a steady human presence on the ISS and support ongoing scientific research in microgravity. Hague and Gorbunov will join the ISS’s Expedition 72, contributing to various experiments and operational activities. Their work will focus on advancing our understanding of human health in space and testing new technologies that could benefit future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars .
Starliner Homecoming
Upon the completion of the Crew-9 mission, scheduled for February 2025, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, currently aboard the ISS, will return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This will provide much-needed transportation back to Earth following the postponement of the Boeing Starliner crewed flight test, which had initially complicated their return plans. The Starliner spacecraft returned autonomously to White Sands Missile Range on September 6th, 2024. Wilmore and Williams have been integral to ISS operations, and their safe return will conclude a chapter of collaborative space efforts between NASA and its commercial partners.
The Crew-9 mission exemplifies international collaboration and the continued evolution of commercial partnerships in space exploration. With this launch, NASA and SpaceX continue to push the boundaries of human spaceflight, enabling both scientific advancements and robust space operations. As Nick Hague aptly stated, “We’re excited to embark on this mission, representing both our respective agencies and the broader goal of expanding human presence beyond Earth.”
For more detailed information and live updates on the launch, you can visit NASA’s official site or the Kennedy Space Center page.
