Our @SpaceX #Crew9 mission to the @Space_Station is targeted to launch Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1:17pm ET (1717 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-40—the first human spaceflight mission to launch from this pad. Watch on our digital channels and NASA+: https://t.co/gr5CFe2JDj pic.twitter.com/CWZ6Kc1jxg
— NASA (@NASA) September 25, 2024
NASA astronaut Suni Williams has taken command of the International Space Station (ISS) after her planned eight-day mission turned into an eight-month stay. Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, but technical issues with the spacecraft forced them to remain on the ISS. During a change of command ceremony, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko handed over leadership of the ISS to Williams.
Astronaut Tracy Dyson and her crewmates are safely home on Earth after today's Soyuz landing at 7:59am ET (1159 UTC). Dyson has completed a six-month research mission on the @Space_Station, her third spaceflight: https://t.co/6ZPnqnAGvz pic.twitter.com/S3T7FHc2Z9
— NASA (@NASA) September 23, 2024
Kononenko, along with cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, returned to Earth on September 23, 2024, aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. Williams and Wilmore were originally scheduled to return to Earth on Starliner, but thruster malfunctions and helium leaks in the propulsion system made it too risky. NASA decided to send Starliner back to Earth without the astronauts, extending their mission.
The astronauts will now return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
The best journeys bring you home.@NASA_Astronauts Tracy C. Dyson arrived at Ellington field today, Tuesday, September 24, after her nearly six-month mission aboard the International @Space_Station.
During her time in space, Dyson conducted one spacewalk and hundreds of hours… pic.twitter.com/vynN2TzEdZ
— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) September 24, 2024
The upcoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission, set to launch on September 26, 2024, will serve as a rescue mission for Williams and Wilmore. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were originally scheduled to join the Crew-9 flight but were reassigned to make room for Williams and Wilmore.
Williams assumes ISS command
NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch to the ISS on Crew-9 and bring the stranded astronauts back with them. During the change of command ceremony, Williams highlighted the flexibility and adaptability of the ISS crew in the face of unexpected challenges.
“Expedition 71 has taught all of us a lot about flexibility, and the ability to adapt to a number of amazing things,” Williams said. “A lot of things weren’t planned, and somehow you guys put it all together and did it. It’s pretty amazing.
Pretty impressive.”
This is not Williams’ first time commanding the ISS, as she previously led Expedition 33 in 2012. As of September 23, 2024, she has accumulated over 430 days in space. The Crew-9 mission, while now focused on rescuing Williams and Wilmore, is also a historic launch.
It will be the first crewed launch from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and will see Nick Hague become the first active U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch into space since the branch was established in 2019.
Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
