"Experience the Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Mission" by @NASA / @NASASocial - accepting applications for reporters for launch. Apply by Mon July 22 10am ET. If selected, at own expense. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-shares-assignments-for-its-spacex-crew-9-space-station-mission/
" & Targeting Aug 18 for Mission to Space Station" by @NASA @Commercial_Crew - crew launch (3
, 1
) planned Sun Aug 18. No mention of FAA grounding. FAA doesn't regulate NASA, but review was expected to cause some delay. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/07/26/nasa-spacex-targeting-aug-18-for-crew-9-mission-to-space-station/
"NASA likely to significantly delay the launch of due to Starliner issues" by @arstechnica / @sciguyspace - Launch delay expected for planning to evac test pilots from . https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/08/nasa-likely-to-significantly-delay-the-launch-of-crew-9-due-to-starliner-issues/
" Adjusts Crew-9 Launch Date for Operational Flexibility" by @NASA @Commercial_Crew - launch delayed to Sept 24 due to Starliner in its docking port. Keeping option to rescue test pilot astronauts. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/08/06/nasa-adjusts-crew-9-launch-date-for-operational-flexibility/
"’s Changes Ahead of September Launch" by @NASA @Commercial_Crew - Launch 2 crew + 2 open seats for pilots return. Upgraded pilot Nick Hague to commander to avoid all-rookie crew. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/08/30/nasas-spacex-crew-9-changes-ahead-of-september-launch/
" makes a very tough decision in setting final assignments" by @arstechnica / @sciguyspace - Zena Cardman replaced as commander by USAF test pilot Nick Hague due to reduction of crew to single pilot. https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/08/nasa-makes-a-very-tough-decision-in-setting-final-crew-9-assignments/
Long story made short on crew change: reduced 4 to 2 on launch for pilots to return. Gorbunov kept seat due to US/Russia agreement to launch each other's crew to ISS. NASA chose test pilot astronaut for single-pilot role.
"NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Crewmates to Head to Kennedy Ahead of Launch" by @NASA @Commercial_Crew - 2-up crew (leaving 2 empty seats for 4-down) leave Houston for Cape Canaveral. Planned as 1st crew launch from Pad 40. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/09/19/nasas-spacex-crew-9-crewmates-to-head-to-kennedy-ahead-of-launch/
" & Shift Launch to NET Sept 28 Over Weather Concerns" by @NASA @Commercial_Crew - NET is space-speak for "no earlier than". Tropical Storm Helene will become a hurricane wide enough to affect Cape Canaveral. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/09/24/nasa-spacex-shift-crew-9-launch-to-net-sept-28-over-weather-concerns/
Stage 1 landing at Cape Canaveral LZ1. Stage 2 engine cutoff and orbit insertion. First time was flown to orbit by a single-pilot crew. (Russian cosmonaut is carried by int'l agreement but is not flight crew.)
has room for 4 astronauts but launched with 2 empty seats. Those seats are reserved for rescue of the test pilot astronauts currently aboard ISS, returning in 6 months. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/09/28/meet-nasas-spacex-crew-9/
Trivia: since the space shuttle program ended, contracts launches to US industry. Before splitting up crew and cargo, the program was called Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Office, abbreviated C3PO. Yes, really. spaceflight provided inspiration for reality.
"Expedition 72 Welcomes Duo Aboard Station" by @NASA @Commercial_Crew - Freedom (one of fleet of 5) docked at . Now the Starliner astronauts have their ride home, but first part of its 6-month crew rotation. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/09/29/expedition-72-welcomes-crew-9-duo-aboard-station/
"NASA Adjusts Crew-10 Launch Date" by NASA (mirror bot @nasa ) - 1 month delay in launch due to commissioning work on a new spacecraft from the Hawthorne factory. So return (including 2 test pilots who launched in June) is delayed from February to March so outgoing Crew-9 can update incoming Crew-10. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2024/12/17/nasa-adjusts-crew-10-launch-date/
"NASA & SpaceX Update Crew-10 Launch, Crew-9 Return Dates" by NASA Commercial Crew - changed plans for launch to ISS to use Endurance rather than a brand new still-unnamed spacecraft which requires more time for commissioning. Now targeting launch March 10, weeks earlier than previous plan. including the two Boeing test pilots will return within a week after 10's arrival at ISS. https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2025/02/11/nasa-spacex-update-crew-10-launch-crew-9-return-dates/
"F-22 Pilot Swaps in for Guardian at International Space Station" by Air & Space Forces Magazine - Article notes that pilot Nichole Ayers (Major USAF) arrives at ISS as commander Nick Hague (Colonel USSF) prepares to return to Earth. Each is a member of a crew rotation of 4, with other US military members. The article links these two due to focus on Air Force & Space Force, excluding Army & Navy on the crews. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-22-pilot-guardian-international-space-station/
"NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9: Crew Preparing for Splashdown" by Space Station blog - "Freedom" with astronauts and test pilots is de-orbiting for return to Earth. Splashdown is planned 1757 Eastern Time off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/commercialcrew/2025/03/18/nasas-spacex-crew-9-crew-preparing-for-splashdown/
As a reminder, in September I wrote an op-ed article for @AirlineReporter which explained test pilot astronauts Wilmore and Williams were not "stranded" like airline passengers stuck in an unfamiliar terminal. It was a significant schedule change. But they're senior astronauts. Both retired from the US Navy at the rank of Captain. All ISS crew astronauts make contingency plans for longer stays on orbit. They knew how to work as space station crew. https://spacey.space/@AstroHawk/113079672536029751
"NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Splashes Down Off Coast of Florida" by Space Station blog - Safe splashdown confirmed off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. Boats with NASA & SpaceX crews will recover it from the water. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/03/18/nasas-spacex-crew-9-splashes-down-off-coast-of-florida/
As test pilot astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams return home to Houston after splashdown, they'll get a lot of attention. Hopefully also plenty of private time with their families. Space geeks should watch for news in upcoming months: all test pilots on first flight of a new spacecraft have eventually been admitted to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. With their mission completed, this big feather in their caps is probably coming. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Astronaut_Hall_of_Fame
