![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/updated-nasas-spacex-crew-9-image.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>Editor\u2019s note:<\/strong> This release was updated twice on Aug. 30, 2024. First, to correct Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov\u2019s role as a mission specialist. It was updated again to correct a launch date.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n NASA astronaut Nick Hague<\/a> and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24, on the agency\u2019s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, previously announced as crewmates<\/a>, are eligible for reassignment on a future mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hague and Gorbunov will fly to the space station as commander and mission specialist, respectively, as part of a two-crew member flight aboard a SpaceX Dragon.<\/p>\n The updated crew complement follows NASA\u2019s decision<\/a> to return the agency\u2019s Boeing Crew Flight Test uncrewed and launch Crew-9 with two unoccupied seats. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched aboard the Starliner spacecraft in June, will fly home with Hague and Gorbunov in February 2025.<\/p>\n The decision to fly Hague was made by NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba at the agency\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Acaba had to balance flying a NASA crew member with previous spaceflight experience to command the flight, while ensuring NASA maintains an integrated crew with a Roscosmos cosmonaut who can operate their critical systems for continued, safe station operations.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we\u2019ve changed crew before for a variety of reasons, downsizing crew for this flight was another tough decision to adjust to given that the crew has trained as a crew of four,\u201d said Acaba. \u201cI have the utmost confidence in all our crew, who have been excellent throughout training for the mission. Zena and Stephanie will continue to assist their crewmates ahead of launch, and they exemplify what it means to be a professional astronaut.\u201d<\/p>\n The agency will share reassignment details for Cardman<\/a> and Wilson<\/a> when available.<\/p>\n \u201cI am\u00a0deeply\u00a0proud of our\u00a0entire crew,\u201d said\u00a0Cardman, \u201cand I am\u00a0confident Nick and Alex will\u00a0step into their roles with excellence. All four of us\u00a0remain\u00a0dedicated to\u00a0the success of this mission, and Stephanie and I look forward to flying\u00a0when the time is right.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Wilson added, \u201cI know Nick and Alex will do a great job with their work aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72.\u201d<\/p>\n With 203 days logged in space, this will be Hague\u2019s third launch and second mission to the orbiting laboratory. During his first launch in October 2018, Hague and his crewmate, Roscosmos\u2019 Alexey Ovchinin, experienced a rocket booster failure, resulting in an in-flight, post-launch abort, ballistic re-entry, and safe landing in their Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft. Five months later, Hague launched aboard Soyuz MS-12 and served as a flight engineer aboard the space station during Expeditions 59 and 60. Hague conducted three spacewalks to upgrade space station power systems and install a docking adapter for commercial spacecraft. An active-duty colonel in the U.S. Space Force, Hague completed a developmental rotation at the Defense Department, and served as the Space Force\u2019s director of test and evaluation from 2020 to 2022. In August 2022, Hague resumed duties at NASA, working on the Boeing Starliner Program until this flight assignment. Follow @astrohague<\/a> on X and Instagram.<\/p>\n This will be Gorbunov\u2019s first trip to space and the station. Born in Zheleznogorsk, Kursk region, Russia, he studied engineering with qualifications in spacecraft and upper stages from the Moscow Aviation Institute. Gorbunov graduated from the military department with a specialty in operating and repairing aircraft, helicopters, and aircraft engines. Before his selection as a cosmonaut in 2018, he worked as an engineer for Rocket Space Corp. Energia and supported cargo spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.<\/p>\n Hague and Gorbonov will become members of the Expedition 72 crew aboard the station. They will join Wilmore, Williams, fellow NASA astronaut Don Pettit, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner conducting scientific research and maintenance activities into the station\u2019s 24th year of continuous human presence.<\/p>\n Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/station<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Josh Finch \/ Jimi Russell \u00a0Courtney Beasley Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a> Editor\u2019s note: This release was updated twice on Aug. 30, 2024. First, to correct Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov\u2019s role as a mission specialist. It was updated again to correct a launch date. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24, on the agency\u2019s SpaceX Crew-9 mission [\u2026] Continue reading
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ james.j.russell@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
courtney.m.beasley@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAbbey A. Donaldson <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"