Sunita Williams's rescue: Nasa to launch Crew-9 to bring back Starliner pilot

Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the ISS for an extended mission, will be returning to Earth as part of this crewed flight in February 2025.

In Short

• Starliner spacecraft she piloted to space returned empty
• The Crew-9 mission is crucial for her safe return to Earth
• This mission follows a series of successful crewed flights by SpaceX

Nasa is set to launch its Crew-9 mission this week to rescue astronaut Sunita Williams from the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024, and will take place aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex-40.

Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the ISS for an extended mission, will be returning to Earth as part of this crewed flight in February 2025. She arrived at the flying laboratory in June this year for an eight-day mission.

However, the Starliner spacecraft she piloted to space returned empty after developing technical faults in space.

The Crew-9 mission is crucial not only for her safe return but also for maintaining the ongoing operations aboard the space station, which serves as a hub for international scientific research and collaboration.

The Falcon-9 rocket, known for its reusability and reliability, will carry a crew of two astronauts and two spare seats for Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore to return.

The two astronauts headed to the ISS aboard the Dragon spacecraft include Nasa astronaut Nick Hague, commander, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

This mission follows a series of successful crewed flights by SpaceX under Nasa's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to transport astronauts to and from the ISS safely.

Nasa has emphasised the importance of this mission in ensuring that crew members aboard the ISS can be rotated effectively.

The Crew-9 launch will mark another milestone in SpaceX's partnership with Nasa, showcasing the capabilities of the Dragon spacecraft, which has been instrumental in facilitating human spaceflight since its first crewed flight in 2020.

As preparations for the launch continue, teams at SpaceX are conducting final checks and rehearsals to ensure a smooth mission. The Crew-9 mission is expected to enhance scientific research opportunities on the ISS while also demonstrating the effectiveness of commercial spaceflight solutions.