‘Hurricane Helene’: NASA’s Sunita Williams may be stuck on ISS beyond Feb 2025 if Crew Dragon launch delays
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Crew-9 Mission Delayed by Storm
SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, set to launch from Cape Canaveral on Sept. 26, has been delayed due to the impact of Tropical Storm Helene, expected to become a Category 3 hurricane as it hits Florida’s Gulf Coast. The launch is now scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28.
NASA’s Launch Postponement
NASA and SpaceX decided to delay the launch due to the storm’s high winds and heavy rains expected to affect Florida’s east coast, including Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island. This prompted NASA officials to push back the launch by at least two days.
Crew-9’s Purpose
The Crew-9 mission will send two astronauts, NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, to the International Space Station (ISS) for a five-month stay. Their mission is to continue scientific research and support ongoing space operations.
Sunita Williams’ Return Affected
Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the ISS since June, was scheduled to return to Earth aboard the Crew-9 mission. However, the delay means her return could be further postponed, extending her current mission, which was originally planned for 9 days, to over 8 months.
Starliner Issues Extended Williams’ Stay
Williams initially arrived at the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Due to thruster problems with Starliner, NASA decided to bring the capsule back to Earth uncrewed in early September. This resulted in Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore staying aboard the ISS longer than anticipated.
Hurricane Helene’s Path
Helene, now a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to intensify as it moves toward Florida. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a warning for life-threatening storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rains, with potential flooding across northern Florida, southern Georgia, and parts of the southeastern U.S.
Further Impact on the Crew-9 Mission
NASA and SpaceX will monitor the storm and could delay the Crew-9 mission further if Helene’s impact worsens. The delay has raised concerns that the rescue mission for Williams and Wilmore could face additional postponements.
NASA’s Contingency Plans
In light of the ongoing hurricane and delays, NASA is working closely with SpaceX to ensure the safe launch of Crew-9. If the storm intensifies further, NASA may have to adjust its plans for both the mission launch and the return of Sunita Williams.