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NASA on Friday reassigned a new group of astronauts for its SpaceX Crew-9 mission ahead of its launch in September 2024. Astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov have been assigned as commander and mission specialist, respectively, of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to fly on Sept. 24.
Previously announced NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson have been reassigned to future missions, the space administration said in its latest update. The other astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who blasted off to space on the Starliner spacecraft in June, will return to Earth with Hague and Gorbunov in February 2025.
NASA’s decision comes after the unmanned Boeing Crew Flight Test decided to launch Crew-9 with two empty seats.
Chief Astronaut Joe Acaba’s Decision
NASA Chief Astronaut Joe Acaba decided to include Hague, considering his prior spaceflight experience and the need for an integrated crew including Roscosmos astronauts for effective station operations.
Acaba acknowledged that reducing the crew size was a difficult decision, especially considering original training was done with a crew of four, but he expressed full confidence in the crew’s abilities.
Cardman expressed pride and confidence in Hague and Gorbunov, saying both will excel in their roles. “I am confident that Nick and Alex will perform their roles with excellence. All four of us are dedicated to the success of this mission, and Stephanie and I look forward to flying when the time is right,” Cardman said.
Hague and Gorbunov will join Sunita Williams
The SpaceX Crew 9 mission will be Hague’s third spaceflight. His first launch in October 2018 was aborted due to a rocket failure, but he later flew successfully to the ISS in March 2019. With more than 200 days in space, Hague has participated in numerous important spacewalks and served as the Space Force’s director of test and evaluation before returning to NASA.
Gorbunov, who will fly his first space flight, has a background in engineering and has previous experience supporting spacecraft launches. As Expedition 72 crew members, Hague and Gorbunov will join Wilmore, Williams, NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner for ongoing scientific research aboard the space body.
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