On September 29, 2024, the SpaceX Crew-9 mission successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), bringing vital support to two NASA astronauts stranded since June due to a malfunction with Boeing's Starliner capsule.
The Crew-9 spacecraft, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on September 28, is set to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth in February 2025, after an extended eight-month stay aboard the ISS.
Originally planned for an eight-day mission, Wilmore and Williams' stay was prolonged following issues with the Starliner's propulsion system. NASA opted to return the Starliner without crew after extensive reliability tests.
The Crew-9 mission, featuring NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, will conduct approximately 200 scientific experiments during their five-month stay. This mission underscores the advancements in commercial spaceflight and the increasing collaboration between private companies and government agencies in space exploration.