### NASA’s Crew-9 Mission: A Story of Adjustment and Perseverance
NASA’s human spaceflight efforts have consistently been a fluid and intricate undertaking, necessitating ongoing adjustments to emerging challenges. The recent modifications to the Crew-9 mission, scheduled for launch no earlier than September 24, 2024, exemplify this flexibility. This mission will transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) utilizing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and has seen considerable crew modifications in reaction to unforeseen events, underscoring NASA’s dedication to mission achievement and crew well-being.
#### The Updated Crew-9 Team
NASA has announced that astronaut Nick Hague will lead the Crew-9 mission, with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov as the mission specialist. This represents a shift from the initial four-member crew, which comprised NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Stephanie Wilson, and Hague, alongside Gorbunov. The move to reduce the crew to two members arose from the necessity of repurposing the Crew Dragon spacecraft, *Freedom*, into a rescue vehicle for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
Wilmore and Williams, who reached the ISS in June aboard Boeing’s Starliner, encountered a critical situation when their spacecraft was classified as unsafe for re-entry. Consequently, NASA faced the tough choice of modifying the Crew-9 mission to ensure their safe return. Wilmore and Williams will now accompany Hague and Gorbunov on their trip back to Earth in February 2025.
#### The Background of the Adjustments
The initial Crew-9 roster was significant for multiple reasons. Zena Cardman, a 36-year-old geobiologist who became part of NASA in 2017, was poised to achieve a milestone as the first rookie astronaut without prior test pilot experience to lead a NASA space mission. Her assignment was indicative of NASA’s trust in the autonomous operations of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, designed to reach the ISS without manual control. Cardman was to be backed by Hague, an experienced astronaut and Air Force test pilot, along with Wilson and Gorbunov.
However, the necessity to support Wilmore and Williams led to a review of the crew lineup. Joe Acaba, appointed chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office in February 2023, was designated to make the challenging decision regarding the final crew combinations. Considering the importance of sustaining the ongoing partnership with the Russian space program, Gorbunov’s selection was imperative. This placed Acaba in the tough position of choosing between Cardman, Hague, and Wilson for the last NASA slot.
At first, Acaba opted to keep Cardman as the mission commander. Nonetheless, this decision ignited significant debate within the Astronaut Office. While Cardman is highly esteemed and the Crew Dragon is built for autonomy, some contended that having a rookie astronaut as the sole NASA representative was risky. The concern was not regarding Cardman’s skills but the unpredictability inherent in space travel, where even veteran astronauts might struggle with space sickness or other issues during the mission’s initial phase.
Ultimately, the dissenting views, bolstered by some senior officials at NASA, prevailed. Hague, with his extensive experience and proven capability to manage high-stress scenarios, was considered the more secure choice. Hague’s qualifications include surviving a Soyuz spacecraft abort in 2018 and spending over six months aboard the ISS in 2019. His expertise rendered him the optimal candidate to guarantee the mission’s success, especially considering the added responsibility of ensuring Wilmore and Williams returns safely to Earth.
#### NASA’s Official Perspective
In a press release issued on Friday, Joe Acaba recognized the complexity of the decision to reduce the crew. “While we’ve adjusted crew configurations in the past for various reasons, scaling down the crew for this flight was another tough call, especially since the crew has trained together as a four-member unit,” Acaba stated. “I have complete confidence in our crew, who have excelled throughout mission training. Zena and Stephanie will continue to support their fellow crew members as launch approaches, and they embody the essence of being a professional astronaut.”
Zena Cardman, who recently experienced the loss of her father, Larry Cardman, also voiced her support for the mission’s revised structure. In an emotional statement, she shared, “I am profoundly proud of our entire team, and I have faith that Nick and Alex will excel in their roles. All four of us remain committed to the mission’s success, and Stephanie and I eagerly await when we can fly in the future.”
#### Looking Forward
The Crew-9 mission, akin to many that preceded it, underscores the unpredictable essence of space exploration. NASA’s capacity to adjust to evolving circumstances while staying committed to safety and mission success demonstrates the agency’s resilience. Although the alterations
