NASA and SpaceX have postponed the much-anticipated Crew-9 mission, which was originally scheduled for September 26, to now launch on September 28. The mission, set to bring back astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS), faces delays due to concerns over Tropical Storm Helene. The storm, though far from the launch site, is predicted to bring high winds and rain to the Cape Canaveral area.

Mission Delayed Due to Weather Concerns

The decision to delay the launch comes as a precaution. According to NASA’s latest update on September 24, the new target for the mission’s launch is 1:17 pm ET on Saturday, September 28. A backup window has also been set for the following day, September 29, at 12:54 pm ET. NASA cited expected high winds and rainfall from Tropical Storm Helene as the reason for the delay. The storm is expected to pass through the Gulf of Mexico, but its size and intensity could affect weather conditions across Florida's eastern coast.

Read Also: Sunita Williams, stuck in space for months, takes command of the ISS once again as NASA prepares a rescue mission

NASA and SpaceX teams have adjusted the next launch opportunity for NASAs SpaceX #Crew9 mission to @Space_Station for no earlier than 1:17pm ET, Saturday, Sept. 28, from Space Launch Complex 40 due to tropical storm conditions in the area.
More: https://t.co/wekEncArQL pic.twitter.com/TP2I1rtZB7 NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) September 24, 2024

Live Broadcast and Next Steps

A live webcast of the Crew-9 mission will begin an hour before launch, available on SpaceX's X account and the new X TV app. NASA and SpaceX teams will continue to monitor weather conditions, and rehearsals for the launch are already underway. A full simulation was conducted ahead of the upcoming lift-off, with the integrated SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket completing launch-day rehearsals.

Crew-9, SpaceX, and @NASA completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of liftoff on Saturday pic.twitter.com/99pcI8rPEq SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 25, 2024

Mission Objectives and Changes

Originally, the Crew-9 mission was set to launch with four crew members as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. However, it was restructured to return Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth. Williams and Wilmore had launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2023. Technical issues delayed the Starliner’s return, leading NASA to downsize the Crew-9 mission to just two astronauts—NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov. The reconfigured mission will leave two seats empty for Williams and Wilmore, ensuring their safe return aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

Read Also: Sunita Williams' birthday: How NASA astronaut celebrates her 59th birthday in space, gifts, and more

The Crew-9 mission has faced several delays, initially scheduled for August 18 and now postponed due to the storm. SpaceX and NASA are making every effort to ensure a safe launch and return for all involved.