SpaceX set to launch capsule with two stranded astronauts returning from space station

SpaceX is gearing up to launch two new crew members to the International Space Station on Saturday aboard its Crew Dragon capsule, which will eventually bring home two NASA astronauts who flew on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The launch is scheduled for 1:17 p.m. ET from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The duo joining the Expedition 72 crew will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who are expected to stay at the ISS until February. This mission was initially set to carry four crew members, but due to delays caused by Hurricane Helene, two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, had to wait for a future launch. Wilmore and Williams flew to the space station on Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June, but due to technical issues with the spacecraft, their return was delayed, and they had to stay on the ISS longer than planned. The Crew-9 launch has been postponed multiple times due to various reasons, including weather conditions and technical issues. As of now, there is a 55% chance of favorable weather conditions for Saturday’s launch, with the main concerns being atmospheric conditions along the rocket’s path into orbit.

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