The launch of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, originally planned for September 26th, has been pushed back to September 28th due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Helene. While the storm is expected to weaken before reaching Florida, it has still posed a significant weather challenge for the launch.
NASA’s weather officers have predicted a 55% chance of favorable conditions for the launch, scheduled for 1:17 pm ET on September 28th. The primary concerns are cumulus clouds, flight through precipitation, and surface electric fields.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket, which were rolled back to a hangar to protect them from Hurricane Helene, are now back on the launchpad. Cargo loading is set to begin soon, with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich stating that they are “vertical at the pad” and ready for launch.
In a significant change to the mission, the Crew-9 crew has been reduced from four to two astronauts. This decision came as NASA prioritized the return of two astronauts who were stranded on the ISS following the return of their Boeing Starliner capsule without them on September 7th. Astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, originally scheduled to be part of the Crew-9 mission, have relinquished their seats to allow their colleagues to return to Earth.
NASA has assured Cardman and Wilson that they will be assigned future missions. While this adjustment was undoubtedly difficult for them, it showcases the dedication and flexibility that are paramount in space exploration.
The SpaceX Crew-9 mission will now launch from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague (commander) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The launch is scheduled for 1:17 pm EDT (10:47 pm IST) on September 28th, with the spacecraft aiming to dock at the ISS around 5:30 pm EDT on September 29th.
Despite the unexpected changes and weather delays, the Crew-9 mission remains a testament to the dedication of NASA and SpaceX to advancing space exploration and ensuring the safety of astronauts.
