NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have successfully docked their SpaceX Dragon capsule with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, marking a crucial step in the rescue mission for stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The duo had been aboard the ISS since June 2024, following complications with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The Dragon capsule, named “Freedom,” docked at approximately 5:30 p.m. EDT after a 28-hour journey from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Upon entering the ISS, Hague and Gorbunov were warmly welcomed by the Expedition 72 crew, which includes Williams and Wilmore, as well as other NASA astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts.
This mission was initially delayed due to adverse weather conditions from Hurricane Helene but finally launched on Saturday at 1:17 p.m. EDT. The Falcon 9 rocket successfully completed its ascent, with Hague monitoring the automated systems alongside Gorbunov, who was on his first spaceflight.
The Crew-9 mission is particularly significant as it brings back Williams and Wilmore after an extended stay of nearly eight months in orbit, far exceeding their original ten-day mission plan due to technical issues with Starliner. NASA deemed it too risky to return them via Starliner, which had faced multiple helium leaks and thruster problems. Instead, they will return home aboard the Crew Dragon in February 2025.
As Hague and Gorbunov settle into their five-month mission aboard the ISS, the total crew count temporarily rises to 11 until Crew-8 members return to Earth in early October. This collaboration underscores the ongoing partnership between NASA and Roscosmos in maintaining a continuous human presence in space.
