NASA has announced a one-day postponement of its Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, now targeting a liftoff no earlier than Sept. 25. This delay is attributed to the need for additional prelaunch preparations to ensure a smooth and safe launch, as well as a planned separation between ongoing space operations.
The mission, originally scheduled for Aug. 18, has experienced a series of delays. Initially, the launch was pushed back to Sept. 24 due to delays associated with the Boeing Starliner mission, which launched on June 5. The Starliner mission, carrying astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, was initially expected to return to Earth in about eight days. However, technical issues encountered during docking delayed the return. Ultimately, NASA decided to scrap the Starliner’s return with the astronauts, and the spacecraft returned to Earth empty on Sept. 6.
With the Starliner mission’s complications, the Crew-9 mission’s lineup has undergone some adjustments. Williams and Wilmore, currently at the station, will now join astronauts Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov on their return journey to Earth in February 2025. Meanwhile, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, previously assigned to Crew 9, will be reassigned to a future mission.
Despite these setbacks, NASA remains committed to carrying out the Crew-9 mission. The agency has identified additional launch opportunities on Sept. 26, Sept. 27, and Sept. 28, should the launch on Sept. 25 be hindered.
The Crew-9 mission is a crucial part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to maintain a continuous human presence on the International Space Station, a vital platform for conducting scientific research and exploring the universe.
