NASA and SpaceX Launch Crew-9 Mission, Rescuing Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore

NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-9 mission tonight, September 28, at 23:24 PM IST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission is crucial as it aims to safely bring back veteran astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS) after they have spent an extended period there due to technical difficulties with their original transport vehicle, Boeing's Starliner.

The launch, initially scheduled for September 26, was delayed due to adverse weather conditions from Hurricane Helene affecting Florida's Gulf Coast. 

Here is what you need to know

Leading the Crew-9 mission are NASA astronaut Nick Hague, with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov serving as mission specialist. The spacecraft will transport Hague and Gorbunov to the ISS for a five-month mission, where they are set to conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations.

Williams and Wilmore had been stranded on the ISS after their Starliner capsule encountered thruster issues and was returned uncrewed on September 7 for further evaluation. Their return has been highly anticipated, and the Crew-9 launch marks a historic moment as it is the first crewed launch from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex-40.

Once launched, Crew-9 is expected to dock with the ISS around 5:30 PM EDT, concluding a vital mission to ensure the safe return of Williams and Wilmore, who have been aboard the ISS since June.

Where can you watch launch?

You can watch the launch in the video player above.