In a recent announcement, NASA has revealed that astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are set to embark on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than 24 September this year. This mission holds particular significance as it will bring home astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been marooned on the ISS due to safety concerns surrounding their return aboard Boeing’s troubled Starliner capsule.

Mission Updates and Crew Composition

Originally planned as a four-person mission, Crew-9 has been streamlined to a two-person team. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were reassigned to future missions, leaving Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov to lead the upcoming journey. Nick Hague, a seasoned space traveller, will serve as the mission commander, while Aleksandr Gorbunov will undertake his first spaceflight as a mission specialist.

NASA’s Chief Astronaut, Joe Acaba, has emphasised that this reduction in crew size, while challenging, was necessary to ensure mission success. Acaba noted that Hague and Gorbunov possess the critical experience and skills needed for the mission, while Cardman and Wilson will continue to provide essential support from the ground. Despite the adjustments, Acaba expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and execute the mission successfully, adding that both Cardman and Wilson are eagerly anticipating their roles in future spaceflights.

Nick Hague is no stranger to the rigours of space travel. This upcoming mission will mark his third journey into space, following a dramatic launch in October 2018, which ended with an emergency landing due to a rocket failure, and a subsequent successful mission in March 2019. During his time on the ISS, Hague was involved in several critical spacewalks, including tasks such as upgrading the station’s power systems and installing a docking adapter for commercial spacecraft. Hague, who holds the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Space Force, is returning to NASA after contributing to the Boeing Starliner Programme.

For Aleksandr Gorbunov, this mission will be his first venture into space. A native of Zheleznogorsk, Russia, Gorbunov brings a wealth of experience in spacecraft engineering and aircraft maintenance. His background includes academic studies at the Moscow Aviation Institute and practical experience with Rocket Space Corp. Energia, where he supported cargo spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Selected as a cosmonaut in 2018, Gorbunov’s maiden flight will see him join the ranks of space explorers aboard the ISS.

Expedition 72 and Mission Goals

Once aboard the ISS, Hague and Gorbunov will become part of Expedition 72, working alongside a team that includes NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, and the returning Williams and Wilmore. Their mission will centre on scientific research and the maintenance of the space station, which has maintained a continuous human presence in orbit for 24 years.

The upcoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of space agencies in the face of technical challenges. With Hague’s seasoned expertise and Gorbunov’s fresh perspective, this mission is poised to make a significant contribution to the ongoing efforts aboard the ISS, ensuring that humanity’s presence in space remains uninterrupted.