On September 29, 2024, SpaceX successfully launched a mission to rescue NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 13:17 local time, carrying the Dragon capsule with astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov.
The Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS at approximately 21:30 GMT on the same day. This mission is part of a routine astronaut exchange at the ISS, where the crew members have been stationed since March 2023.
Following the handover, the Crew-8 members will return to Earth aboard another SpaceX vehicle. They are expected to bring back veteran astronauts Wilmore and Williams after their lengthy stay in space.
Wilmore and Williams have spent over eight months in space and are anticipated to return shortly after the launch of the Starliner in June 2024, which was deemed too risky by NASA due to a series of propulsion issues and helium leaks.
During the launch, cheers of 'Go Dragon!' echoed through the ISS as Wilmore and Williams watched the Dragon capsule take off via a live link. Williams has recently been promoted to commander of the space station and will soon rejoin a team that will consist of seven members after the arrival of Hague and Gorbunov. However, this mission does not come without its challenges, as Hague acknowledged that change is a constant in the realm of spaceflight.