NASA and SpaceX teams completed a launch day rehearsal with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. (Photo: SpaceX)

Sunita Williams rescue mission launch delayed due to Tropical Storm Helene

The decision to delay comes as Tropical Storm Helene, currently in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane.

by · India Today

In Short

  • The decision to delay comes as Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen
  • The storm is forecast to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast
  • Its effects are anticipated to reach Cape Canaveral

Nasa and SpaceX have postponed the launch of the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) due to the potential impact of Tropical Storm Helene.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, September 26, the launch has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 28 at 10:47 pm IST.

The decision to delay comes as Tropical Storm Helene, currently in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane.

While the storm is forecast to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, its effects are anticipated to reach Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island, potentially disrupting launch operations with high winds and heavy rain.

The Crew-9 mission, led by Nasa astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will transport the astronauts to the ISS for a five-month stay. However, the mission has taken on additional significance as it will also serve as a rescue mission for Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

Williams and Wilmore have been stranded aboard the ISS since June due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule. They are now scheduled to return to Earth with the Crew-9 team when the mission concludes in February 2025.

Despite the delay, Nasa and SpaceX teams completed a launch day rehearsal with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday night. The integrated system was subsequently moved back to the hangar to protect it from potential storm damage.

As the storm approaches, both Nasa and SpaceX will continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritising the safety of the crew and equipment. The Crew-9 team and their SpaceX Dragon capsule remain on standby, with the new launch date set for September 28, pending favourable weather conditions.