SpaceX Crew-9 Launches to Rescue Starliner Astronauts Stranded on ISS

SpaceX launched Crew-9 with two astronauts to bring back stranded NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore from ISS in 2025.

Launch After Hurricane Delay

SpaceX's Crew-9 mission lifted off at 1:17 p.m. ET on Saturday, following a brief postponement due to Hurricane Helene that threatened Florida and the southeastern United States. Once the storm danger subsided, mission teams quickly reset the launchpad, enabling a successful liftoff from Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Crew Dragon capsule, named Freedom, into orbit, with the first stage separating after about two and a half minutes and returning to a ground pad for reuse.

Extended Stay for Starliner Test Astronauts

Astronauts Butch Williams and Suni Wilmore were originally scheduled to spend roughly a week on the International Space Station during a test flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule. However, technical problems—including helium leaks and thruster failures—prompted NASA to deem the Starliner too risky for crewed return. As a result, Williams and Wilmore have remained aboard the ISS far longer than planned, now awaiting a ride home with Crew-9 in 2025.

Crew-9's Unique Composition

Unlike typical Commercial Crew Program missions that carry four astronauts, Crew-9 launched with only two: NASA's Nick Hague and Roscosmos's Aleksandr Gorbunov. The two empty seats on the Crew Dragon are reserved for Williams and Wilmore on their return journey. Hague praised the ride after launch, telling NASA's livestream, “Thank you guys… it was a sweet ride.” The capsule is expected to dock with the ISS around 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday.

Boeing's Starliner Setback

Williams and Wilmore watched on September 6 as their Starliner capsule returned from the station without them. NASA engineers spent months trying to resolve the spacecraft's issues but ultimately decided too many uncertainties remained to trust it for crew transport. It is still unclear when Boeing's Starliner will be ready for another crewed mission. To accommodate the Starliner astronauts, NASA removed two originally assigned Crew-9 members—Stephanie Wilson and Zena Cardman. Cardman, who was set to be mission commander on her first spaceflight, handed her role to Nick Hague.

Life Aboard the ISS

While waiting for their return, Williams and Wilmore have integrated fully into station operations. Williams has taken on the role of ISS commander, transitioning from a test-flight schedule to full-time crew duties. Both astronauts continue to support scientific experiments and maintenance alongside the existing Expedition crew.

Looking Ahead: Return and Commercial Crew Future

After docking, Hague and Gorbunov will join Williams and Wilmore for a months-long stay. The Crew-9 mission underscores NASA's continued reliance on SpaceX for crew rotations since 2020, whereas Boeing—awarded a parallel contract in 2014—has struggled to bring Starliner to operational status. The return of Williams and Wilmore is scheduled for 2025, capping an extended mission that has tested astronaut resilience and ground-team coordination.