SpaceX launches mission to rescue astronauts stranded at the ISS

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A SpaceX mission has been initiated to rescue two astronauts, Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore, who are currently stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday aboard the Dragon spacecraft, which is expected to arrive at the ISS on Sunday.

Williams and Wilmore were originally scheduled to return to Earth on June 13 following the Starliner's inaugural crewed flight from Florida, which launched on June 5. However, the Starliner experienced several complications, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, leading to delays. A previous launch attempt was also scrapped shortly before takeoff due to a ground control computer performance issue.

The Dragon spacecraft's mission had been delayed for several days because of Hurricane Helene, with weather concerns impacting the launch until the last moment. NASA announced that during their stay on the ISS, the astronauts will conduct over 200 scientific investigations, which include studies on blood clotting, moisture effects on plants grown in space, and vision changes in astronauts.

Williams and Wilmore are now expected to return to Earth in February 2025, alongside Hague and Gorbunov.