A SpaceX spacecraft has successfully launched to rescue two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues.
NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday to bring back Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore.
The Dragon spacecraft, operated by SpaceX, the private company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is expected to arrive at the ISS on Sunday.
Read Also: Elon Musk On Track To Soon Become The World’s First Trillionaire
Originally, astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were slated to be part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
However, they gave up their spots to accommodate Williams and Wilmore, who were stranded on the ISS due to technical problems with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Williams and Wilmore were initially scheduled to return to Earth on June 13, after their Boeing Starliner capsule launched its first crewed flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 5.
However, the Starliner faced numerous technical challenges, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters.
A previous launch attempt on June 1 was canceled just moments before liftoff due to a ground control computer issue.
During the Starliner’s journey to the ISS, further technical problems emerged, delaying its docking. Four out of 28 thrusters malfunctioned upon arrival, forcing a postponement of the ship’s docking.
Saturday’s SpaceX launch had also been delayed due to Hurricane Helene and ongoing weather concerns, including storms that posed risks to the mission.
According to a NASA statement, the astronauts will conduct over 200 scientific investigations, including studies on blood clotting, plant growth in space, and vision changes in astronauts during their mission.
Williams and Wilmore are now expected to return to Earth in February 2025, along with Hague and Gorbunov.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
