### Historic Launch of SpaceX's Crew-9 Mission to the ISS

In a remarkable display of aerospace innovation, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket soared from Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40) at Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at precisely 1:17 p.m. EDT (1717 GMT) on September 28. This launch marks the commencement of the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA.

"That was a sweet ride," NASA astronaut Nick Hague, the mission's commander, radioed back to SpaceX's launch control as he entered orbit alongside his Russian crewmate Alexandr Gorbunov. Following their launch, the astronauts are scheduled to arrive at the ISS on Sunday, September 29.

This mission is notable for being the inaugural astronaut launch from SLC-40, the first launch pad operated by SpaceX in Florida, previously used for many uncrewed missions. Over the past two years, SpaceX and NASA have significantly upgraded the pad with a new crew launch tower, access arm, and emergency escape slide to ready it for manned missions.

Interestingly, the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule for Crew-9 are not fresh off the production line. The first stage of Falcon 9 had previously launched an uncrewed Starlink mission. In a smooth descent, the booster landed back at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1, approximately eight minutes after launch. The Dragon capsule, named Freedom, has already seen action in three ISS missions: NASA's Crew-4 flight and two commercial flights for Axiom Space, Ax-2 and Ax-3.

Another unique aspect of Crew-9 is the reduction of crew members from the usual four to two, allowing room for two NASA astronauts already at the ISS to return home in February. The two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been at the ISS since June on Boeing's Starliner capsule's maiden crewed mission. Initially planned as a short 10-day mission, it was extended due to thruster issues with Starliner.

The modifications to Crew-9's mission to ferry Wilmore and Williams back meant NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were removed from the mission. Despite her disappointment, Cardman expressed pride at watching the rocket launch, acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the mission. NASA is committed to reassigning Cardman and Wilson to future missions, highlighting the dynamic and complex nature of human spaceflight.

Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasized the agility required in space missions, especially when facing unexpected challenges.

Crew-9 also marks a historic milestone as it includes the first active member of the U.S. Space Force, established in December 2019. Nick Hague, a veteran NASA astronaut and U.S. Space Force colonel joins Gorbunov, representing Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency.

Initially set for a September 26 launch, the Crew-9 mission was delayed by Hurricane Helene. If the mission continues as planned, Freedom is expected to dock with the ISS on Sunday, September 29, at 5:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT), with hatches opening approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes later, milestones that will be streamed live for the public.