NASA Announces Crew Adjustments for SpaceX Crew-9 Mission

NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are slated for a space sojourn not earlier than September 24 on SpaceX's Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This update comes following NASA's decision to modify the crew configuration, resulting in the reassignment of astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, who were initially announced as part of the mission.

Hague, with two spaceflights under his belt, is set to command the mission. Gorbunov, an engineer and cosmonaut since 2018, will join as a mission specialist on his inaugural voyage to the stars. The pair will be onboard, a two-member crew segment in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, signifying a shift from the originally planned four-member team.

This adjustment was necessary after NASA elected to return the Boeing Crew Flight Test vehicle uncrewed and undertake Crew-9 with two vacant seats. The decision, taken under the guidance of NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba at the Johnson Space Center, arose from the need to balance previous spaceflight experience with the imperative of maintaining a mixed crew capable of managing vital station operations.

Acaba expressed confidence in the professionalism and training of all crew members, recognizing Cardman and Wilson's contributions and affirming that they would be considered for future assignments.

Hague is a seasoned astronaut and U.S. Space Force colonel, having spent 203 days in space. Gorbunov, who brings valuable engineering expertise from the Moscow Aviation Institute and experience from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, will join Hague on the Crew-9 mission. Both astronauts will be part of Expedition 72, which includes NASA's Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Don Pettit, and Roscosmos's Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner.

Crew-9's mission forms a crucial part of ongoing scientific research and maintenance aboard the ISS as it moves into its 24th year of continuous human habitation. The reassignment of roles reflects the agility of NASA's human spaceflight program and its partnership with international counterparts, ensuring that the shared objectives of space exploration and research continue unabated.