• By Kamal Kumar
  • Mon, 02 Sep 2024 05:41 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Sunita Williams Return:  In a bid to clear uncertainties looming over the return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams from the International Space Station, the space agency on Monday finalised the team of two SpaceX crew who would fly to the ISS in late September and bring her back during their return. In its official announcement, NASA revealed that the crew will consist of NASA astronaut Nick Hague, alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr. While Nick is an experienced astronaut, Russian Aleksandr Gorbunov will be making his first trip to space.

The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which was originally supposed to carry four astronauts to space, will only carry two to make enough space for a return journey of Butch Willmore and Indian-origin Sunita Williams. According to NASA, the flight is scheduled for no earlier than Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Who Are Two Astronauts Being Sent To Space To Rescue Sunita Williams

Nick Hague, an active duty officer in the US Space Force, brings much experience to the mission. On his third flight and second mission to ISS, he will serve as mission commander while trying to bring back Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. With over 200 days in space, Hague is very well accustomed to the intricacies of space travel.

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On his previous flight, he handled a dramatic in-flight abort during a Soyuz launch in 2018. He also had a successful six-month stay on the ISS during Expeditions 59 and 60, where he conducted three spacewalks.

Aleksandr Gorbunov, a cosmonaut from Roscosmos, is set to embark on his first space mission as part of Crew-9. Originating from the Kursk region of Russia, Gorbunov has a strong engineering background, particularly in spacecraft and upper-stage systems.

NASA claims that despite Gorbunov's first flight, his expertise in engineering and space technologies makes him a perfect candidate for the flight.

Sunita Williams Return: How It Will Be Done By Crew-9 Mission

Due to the apprehensions over the technical malfunctions and the probability that it may not make it back to Earth safely, NASA had earlier ditched the plan to bring back Sunita and Butch Wilmore aboard the Boeing Starliner space shuttle.

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The SpaceX Crew-9 Mission will take two NASA astronauts to ISS and will return in February 2025 with the two Starliner crew. Meanwhile, Boeing's space shuttle will be brought back unmanned, said NASA.