On Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission, launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carried NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Crew-9 marks the ninth rotational mission to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The spacecraft launched at precisely 1:17 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40. Hague and Gorbunov are scheduled for a five-month expedition, joining the ISS crew as part of Expedition 72. Dragon will autonomously dock with the station’s Harmony module on Sunday, Sept. 29, around 5:30 p.m.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his congratulations, stating, "This mission showcases the dedication of NASA, its international and commercial partners, and their ability to adapt and collaborate under dynamic conditions. Godspeed to Nick and Aleksandr as they begin their journey."
Mission operations are being closely monitored, with SpaceX overseeing spacecraft maneuvers from their control center in Hawthorne, California, while NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston will ensure the smooth operation of the ISS.
NASA will broadcast live coverage of the docking and hatch opening, beginning at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sept. 29, through NASA+ and other platforms. Once aboard the ISS, Hague and Gorbunov will participate in a welcome ceremony before joining the Expedition 72 crew, which includes astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, Don Pettit, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, alongside cosmonauts Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.
The ISS crew size will temporarily increase to 11 members until early October, when the Crew-8 astronauts — Barratt, Dominick, Epps, and Grebenkin — return to Earth. During their mission, Hague and Gorbunov will help conduct over 200 scientific experiments, including research on blood clotting, plant growth in microgravity, and the impact of space on vision. The duo will return to Earth in February 2025 with Wilmore and Williams.
For over 23 years, the ISS has continuously supported groundbreaking research and technology testing, paving the way for future deep space exploration, including NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon. The scientific advancements made aboard the ISS continue to benefit life on Earth while laying the groundwork for future missions beyond low Earth orbit.
Meet the Crew-9 Members
Nick Hague is the commander of Crew-9 and is making his second journey to the ISS, having been selected as an astronaut in 2013. He will serve as a mission specialist during Expedition 72/73. Follow him on social media platforms X and Instagram via @AstroHague.
Aleksandr Gorbunov, a Roscosmos cosmonaut, is embarking on his first space mission and will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73.
This mission exemplifies the continued international cooperation and dedication to space exploration, advancing research that benefits humanity both in space and on Earth.
