NASA and SpaceX Delay Crew-9 Launch Due to Tropical Storm Helene

NASA and SpaceX have rescheduled the launch of the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Originally planned for Thursday, September 26, the launch has been delayed to no earlier than Saturday, September 28, due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Helene. The storm is forecasted to affect Florida’s Space Coast, prompting safety concerns for the mission.

Prelaunch Activities and Weather Concerns

Despite the weather-related delay, prelaunch preparations for the Crew-9 mission continued at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. On September 24, the Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Dragon Freedom spacecraft, was rolled out to Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40). This was a significant moment, as it marked the first crewed mission to be launched from this particular site, adding redundancy to SpaceX’s capabilities for launching Dragon missions.

NASA and SpaceX teams also conducted a dry dress rehearsal, simulating all the activities that would take place on launch day, including the countdown procedures. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who will be aboard the Crew-9 mission, were involved in the rehearsal. After this exercise, SpaceX performed a static fire test, briefly igniting the Falcon 9’s Merlin engines for a few seconds to ensure all systems were functioning properly. This is a routine but crucial step to confirm the rocket’s readiness for launch.

The Falcon 9, designated as booster B1085, had flown a Starlink mission earlier in August 2024. However, the booster had required additional work after moisture was discovered in its liquid oxygen tank during transport from SpaceX’s test facility in McGregor, Texas to Florida. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager, provided details about the incident, noting, "There was some moisture that went into the fuel in the [liquid oxygen] tank of that booster when it was transported from McGregor to the Cape." The issue was promptly addressed by drying out the tanks and replacing some components, ensuring the rocket’s full functionality before the upcoming mission.

Crew-9 Mission: Scientific Research and Maintenance on the ISS

The Crew-9 mission is the ninth crew rotation flight to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and is a critical part of maintaining the station’s operations. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will spend approximately five months aboard the ISS, where they will conduct a variety of scientific experiments and perform essential maintenance tasks. Their stay will contribute to the continued operation and development of scientific research in the unique microgravity environment of low Earth orbit.

In addition to Hague and Gorbunov, NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who are already aboard the ISS, will join them. Dragon Freedom, the spacecraft carrying the Crew-9 team, will remain docked to the ISS until February 2025, when it will bring Hague, Gorbunov, Wilmore, and Williams back to Earth. Originally, NASA had considered using Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth, but concerns over the reliability of Starliner’s thrusters led NASA to opt for the Dragon spacecraft for the crew's return journey.

This mission also represents a milestone for SpaceX, as it marks the first time a crewed mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40). Previously, SpaceX had launched crewed missions from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, which has been the site of numerous historic missions, including the Apollo moon landings. By utilizing SLC-40, SpaceX enhances its flexibility and provides NASA with additional options for crewed missions, strengthening the partnership between the two organizations.

Navigating the Challenges of Tropical Storm Helene

Tropical Storm Helene has posed a significant challenge to the timing of the Crew-9 mission. Although the storm is primarily moving through the Gulf of Mexico, its large size is expected to affect Florida’s Space Coast, which includes Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island. NASA and SpaceX made the decision to delay the launch and move the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft back to the hangar to protect them from potential damage caused by high winds and heavy rainfall.

NASA explained the reasoning behind the delay, stating that the storm’s size and strength could result in severe weather conditions across the region. "The storm system is large enough that high winds and heavy rain are expected in the Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island regions on Florida’s east coast," NASA said in a blog post. By postponing the launch, both NASA and SpaceX are ensuring that all safety protocols are followed, prioritizing the well-being of the crew and the success of the mission.

Although weather disruptions are an inherent part of space operations, NASA and SpaceX’s proactive approach demonstrates their commitment to safety. The teams remain ready to resume the mission as soon as weather conditions improve, ensuring that the rocket and spacecraft remain in optimal condition.

Looking Ahead to a Rescheduled Launch

With the new launch date now set for Saturday, September 28, NASA and SpaceX are closely monitoring the weather and preparing to resume final launch activities as soon as it is safe to do so. Assuming the storm passes and conditions improve, the launch will take place at 1:17 p.m. EDT, marking another key moment in NASA and SpaceX’s joint efforts to maintain crewed access to the ISS.

The success of the Crew-9 mission will further solidify SpaceX’s role in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which has successfully launched several crewed missions since its inception in 2020. As SpaceX continues to play a central role in launching astronauts to the ISS, the partnership between the two organizations demonstrates the progress made in achieving reliable, routine access to low Earth orbit.

The Crew-9 mission, with its important scientific and operational goals, underscores the value of human spaceflight and the continued exploration of space. If weather conditions permit, the launch will proceed, and the mission will contribute to the ISS’s scientific endeavors while supporting NASA’s broader objectives in space exploration.