Tech Desk 
Sep 20, 2024
Nasa and SpaceX are all set to launch a new crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 26, as the United States (US) agency recently revealed its plans on September 19 (Thursday). It will be the ninth crew rotation mission along with SpaceX, accompanying two astronauts Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
The astronauts will be aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station situated in Florida.
According to NASA, Crew-9 will conduct scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, which will benefit humanity on Earth. Crew-9 will be attending scientific research to gear up for human exploration behind the low Earth orbit, which would be beneficial for humans in their homes.
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Additionally, two stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams who are stuck at ISS will also return to Earth with Hague and Gorbunov in February 2025 in SpaceX.
Hague and Gorbonov to remain in space for 203 days
Hague will be aboard on his third launch as his first mission was back in October 2018, when he experienced a rocket booster failure. However, it fortunately has a safe landing in the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft.
Meanwhile, it will be the first launching experience to space for Gorbunov. Both the astronauts will later on become members of the Expedition 72 crew aboard the station joining the stranded astronauts, fellow Nasa astronaut Don Pettit, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner to attend a research and maintenance activities into the station's 24th year of continuous human presence and they will be logged in space for almost 2023 days.
