Spacex launches rescue mission for Sunita Williams and Butch stuck on ISS

SpaceX launched a rescue mission to retrieve two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station (ISS), sending a downsized crew to bring them home, but not until early next year. NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov were rocketed into orbit Saturday to fetch astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, whose Boeing spacecraft returned empty earlier this month due to safety concerns. The return trip will happen in late February, marking over eight months in space for the pair.

Wilmore and Williams were originally part of Boeing's first astronaut mission in June, expecting to be away for just a week. However, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft encountered thruster problems and helium leaks, forcing NASA to deem the vehicle too risky. To make room for the astronauts, NASA reduced the crew on this SpaceX launch, delaying their return until other missions can proceed smoothly.

Hague, who took command of this rescue mission due to his past experience with launch emergencies, highlighted the unpredictable nature of space travel but remains confident in his crew's ability to handle the challenges. The crew currently on the ISS will return home after the new arrivals settle in. Meanwhile, rookie astronaut Zena Cardman and veteran Stephanie Wilson were removed from this mission but remain eligible for future flights.

This launch marked SpaceX’s first astronaut mission from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40, with the company expanding its flexibility as it continues leading NASA’s commercial crew program. Boeing, facing significant hurdles, recently replaced its defense and space chief after the Starliner issues.