According to CCTV News on the 30th, on September 29th local time, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States announced that SpaceX's "Dragon" spacecraft carrying out the space rescue mission "Crew-9" had successfully arrived at the International Space Station at 17:30 Eastern Time on the 29th.
The Dragon spacecraft of SpaceX was launched from Florida, USA on September 28th local time, carrying American and Russian astronauts to the International Space Station.
On August 24th local time, NASA announced that two astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station since early June will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.
NASA stated that Boeing's "StarCraft" is expected to return to Earth without passengers in early September this year. NASA stated that the unmanned return of the "StarCraft" allows NASA and Boeing to continue collecting relevant test data during its return process, while not allowing astronauts to "take unnecessary risks beyond what is necessary".
American astronauts Wilmore and Williams were launched into space on June 5th aboard the Boeing StarCraft spacecraft, which had its first manned test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station on June 6th. The spacecraft was originally scheduled to depart from the International Space Station and return to Earth on June 14th, but due to issues such as propulsion failures and helium leaks, the return time has been repeatedly postponed. Two astronauts have been stranded on the International Space Station for over two months now.
The Dragon spacecraft will bring back astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were previously stranded on the International Space Station, to Earth in February next year.
According to SpaceX's official website, the Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission has previously carried out Crew-4, Ax-2, and Ax-3 missions to and from the International Space Station. During the next six months of mission execution, two astronauts will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth.
Elon Musk said before launch, 'SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will send NASA astronauts to the International Space Station!'
It is worth mentioning that NASA chose Boeing and SpaceX to develop spacecraft in 2014 to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. According to the fixed price contract (one-time payment), NASA paid Boeing up to $4.2 billion to develop the spacecraft, while SpaceX paid $2.6 billion. However, SpaceX successfully sent the first batch of astronauts into space four years ago, carrying out a total of nine shuttle missions to and from the International Space Station and winning more contracts. Boeing, which has a larger budget, did not carry out its first manned mission until June this year and needs SpaceX to help them clean up the "mess".
After months of security turmoil and numerous challenges, Boeing's new generation astronaut spacecraft, Starliner, departed from the International Space Station on September 6th without a crew and embarked on its return journey to Earth. This extraordinary journey marks another attempt by Boeing in the field of commercial manned spaceflight, although it did not carry astronauts home as planned. She is on her way home, "astronaut Sunny Williams transmitted these mixed emotions to the ground via radio as Starliner left.
According to previous reports, Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams have been on the International Space Station since arriving on the Starliner on June 6th this year. During the docking process, the spacecraft experienced multiple helium leaks and thruster failures - thrusters are micro engines used for spacecraft maneuvering in space. After months of analysis and testing, NASA believes that the risk of sending them back to Earth aboard the Starliner is too high.
Earlier this month, Sunny Williams said, "We always miss our families. I miss my two dogs; I miss my friends. There are so many people on Earth messaging us, and being with everyone makes you feel at home." It is understood that their original mission was expected to last 8 to 10 days, but now they have been waiting on the International Space Station for over 3 months.
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