In a mission dubbed ‘rescue,’ SpaceX is set to launch two astronauts into orbit on Saturday, aiming to bring home Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since early June. The Dragon spacecraft will take off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, around 10:45 pm IST, carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The duo is embarking on a five-month science mission to the ISS, where they will join the existing crew, including the stranded astronauts.
The launch comes after months of complications with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth. The capsule encountered several helium leaks and thruster failures during its docking attempt, leading NASA to deem it too risky to use for their return. The Starliner was eventually returned to Earth uncrewed in September.
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS around 3:30 am IST on Monday, if all goes according to plan. Hague and Gorbunov will join the Expedition 72 crew, which includes Williams and Wilmore, and will contribute to various research projects, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities. Williams and Wilmore are expected to fly home with the SpaceX Crew-9 duo in February 2025.
This launch marks a significant step forward for human space exploration, as it not only rescues two stranded astronauts but also signifies the return of regular human spaceflights to the ISS after the Starliner incident. The success of this mission is crucial for the continuity of scientific research and technological advancements aboard the ISS.
