Liftoff Time |
September 28, 2024 – 17:17 UTC September 28, 2024 – 13:17 EDT |
|---|---|
Mission Name |
SpaceX Crew-9 |
Launch Provider
|
SpaceX |
Customer
|
NASA |
Rocket |
Falcon 9 B1085-2; 39.16-day turnaround |
Launch Location |
Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida |
Payload mass |
12,500 kg (27,500 lb) |
Where are the satellites going? |
Low-Earth Orbit |
Where will the first stage land? |
B1085 will be recovered on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) |
Will they be attempting to recover the fairings? |
There are no fairings on this flight |
This will be the |
– 10th consecutive landing of a Falcon booster – 378th Falcon 9 launch – 93rd Falcon 9 launch in 2024 – 307th Falcon 9 launch with a flight-proven stage – 207th SpaceX launch from SLC-40 – 75th Falcon booster landing success on a ground pad – 364th landing attempt of a Falcon booster – 321st reflight of a Falcon booster – 90th reflight of a Falcon booster in 2024 – 44th landing success on Landing Zone 1 |
What Does This All Mean?
SpaceX will launch its first crewed launch from SLC-40 atop a Falcon 9. Dragon will only launch two astronauts, with the two additional seats being filled by Butch and Suni — the CFT astronauts — on the way down.
Nick Hague (NASA Astronaut) – Serving as the mission’s commander, Nick Hague has a background that includes extensive experience in space missions and military service. An active-duty colonel in the U.S. Space Force, he brings leadership and technical expertise to the mission. His previous roles include serving as the Space Force’s director of test and evaluation, showcasing his deep involvement in space operations.
Aleksandr Gorbunov (Roscosmos Cosmonaut) – As the mission specialist, Gorbunov represents the international collaboration aspect of the ISS missions. His inclusion underlines the ongoing partnership between NASA and Roscosmos, despite international tensions, highlighting the mission’s focus on scientific cooperation beyond geopolitical boundaries.
