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NASA is all set to launch a rescue mission to the International Space Station (ISS) this week, in a move that has captured the attention of the space exploration community. The mission, dubbed Crew-9, is slated to lift off on Thursday, Sept. 26, with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov set to embark on this crucial journey. The mission was initially planned to include mission experts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, but a change of plans saw Wilson and Cardman being replaced by NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
The reason for this sudden change in crew compositions stems from an unfortunate incident that occurred earlier this year. In June, Boeing’s Starliner capsule encountered a malfunction during Wilmore and Williams’ Crew Flight Test (CFT), which marked the first astronaut mission for the spacecraft. Helium leaks in the propulsion system and the failure of five out of 28 reaction-control thrusters were identified as the main issues affecting the spacecraft’s performance.
In the aftermath of the Starliner mishap, NASA conducted extensive tests at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to unearth the root causes of the problem. Wilmore and Williams even carried out thruster tests on the Starliner docked to the ISS to gather crucial data for the mission teams on the ground to assess the feasibility of a safe return journey for the astronauts.
Following weeks of investigations, NASA voiced concerns about the success of the deorbit burn and the functionality of the propellant system. As a precautionary measure, the decision was made to return the Starliner to Earth without its crew, leaving Wilmore and Williams stranded on the ISS until Crew-9 could swoop in to pick them up.
This is not the first time Starliner has faced technical challenges. Its first uncrewed flight test came to a halt due to software issues that prevented it from reaching the ISS in December 2019. A second uncrewed orbital flight test in May 2022 suffered delays but managed to safely return to Earth months later.
With the focus on prioritizing astronaut safety, NASA opted not to risk Wilmore and Williams’ well-being by having them return on the malfunctioning Starliner after the CFT ended. The decision to keep the astronauts on the ISS and bring the Starliner home uncrewed was made with safety as the paramount concern, drawing parallels to the agency’s commitment to learning from past tragedies like the Challenger and Columbia disasters.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson reiterated the agency’s commitment to safety during a news briefing, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where individuals are encouraged to speak up and raise concerns. This dedication to safety was evident in NASA’s handling of a similar situation last year when astronaut Frank Rubio was marooned on the ISS following a coolant leak on his Russian Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft.
Rubio’s extended stay on the ISS, while waiting for a replacement Soyuz, led him to set a U.S. record with 371 days in orbit. His eventual return, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, in Soyuz MS-23 marked a triumphant moment for the space agency.
As the launch date for Crew-9 approaches, anticipation is building around the historic significance of the mission. Not only will it mark a crucial “rescue mission” to the ISS, but it will also be the first crewed launch from Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Furthermore, Nick Hague’s participation in the mission as the first active U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch adds another layer of significance to this milestone event.
In conclusion, the upcoming launch of Crew-9 represents a pivotal moment in NASA’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and success of human spaceflight missions. With a focus on addressing technical challenges, prioritizing astronaut safety, and fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration, NASA continues to lead the way in shaping the future of space exploration.
