NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the launch of the Crew-9 mission, which will bring two astronauts stranded in space
Manned mission Crew-9 NASA and SpaceX take off this Saturday from Cape CanaveralFlorida, towards International Space Station (ISS) to bring two astronauts from the capsule back to Earth Starliner Boeing, who remain on the orbital station after technical problems prevented their return.
The arrival of Crew-9 to the ISS is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, as confirmed by representatives of the US space agency.
Launching the ship Dragon SpaceX is scheduled for 13:17 local time (17:17 GMT). Space Force Complex 40 from Cape Canaveral, which is “the first manned mission to take off from this platform,” NASA said at a press conference this Friday.
However, takeoff could be delayed due to adverse weather conditionswith only a 55% chance of realization based on current forecasts.
Initially, the Crew-9 mission involved four crew members, but eventually only the commander takes off. Nick Haguefrom NASA, and a cosmonaut of the Russian space agency Roskosmos, Alexander Gorbunov. This decision freed up two seats on Dragon to take astronauts back to Earth. Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita ‘Suni’ Williamswho were stranded on the ISS after the Boeing Starliner failed to return.
Wilmore and Williams, both veteran NASA astronauts, arrived at the ISS on June 5 as part of a Starliner test flight. They were supposed to return after eight days in space, but unresolved technical issues forced it POT delaying its return until February 2025, when Dragon is expected to return to Earth.
Ken Bowersoxdeputy administrator NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate in Washington explained that the decision to vacate the seats was a “big change” for Crew-9, adding that the resignation of the two astronauts from their seats was “difficult to accept, but necessary to prioritize the safety of the astronauts.” “crew members stranded on ISS.”
On Thursday, the launch had to be delayed due to developments tropical system Helenewhich made landfall in northwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, complicating launch conditions. This will be the third liftoff attempt for Crew-9, as the first, scheduled for August 18, was also delayed after the troubled return of the Starliner mission.
during the mission, Hague and Gorbunov They will remain on the ISS for about five months, conducting research and studies on blood clotting, the effect of humidity on plants grown in space, such as lettuce, and changes in astronauts’ vision.
Dina Contella, manager of operations integration at NASA, explained that the vision changes study is of particular importance to the agency as it tries to determine whether vitamin B can prevent or mitigate negative effects on astronauts’ eyes during their time in space.
NASA and SpaceX implemented improvements to the Dragon vehicle for the mission, including cleaning and repainting the radiators to “radiate heat to space and have adequate solar absorption capacity.” In addition, a superDraco thruster system was included which would activate if all engines failed. parachute when landing on the water, ensuring a safe return for the crew.
With this mission, NASA and SpaceX aim to continue joint operations to strengthen the manned space program and advance their scientific studies in the microgravity environment of the ISS until the crew returns in February 2025.
(With information from EFE)