SpaceX发射救援任务，返回滞留在太空的宇航员

SpaceX successfully launched a rescue mission to return stranded astronauts from the International Space Station, with a Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch, which took place with two crew members onboard, marked the first use of a new launch pad for a crewed mission. The astronauts on board included NASA's Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. Their return in February will bring back two space veterans, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were stranded on the ISS due to problems with their Boeing-designed Starliner spacecraft.

The Starliner was initially intended for a short stay of eight days at the ISS, but complications with its propulsion system led to an extended stay for the astronauts. After extensive testing, NASA made the decision to return the Starliner to Earth without its crew and bring the stranded astronauts back home on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. This unique situation required flexibility and support from SpaceX.

The private company, SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, has been conducting regular missions to rotate ISS crews every six months. The Crew-9 mission was delayed to allow NASA experts to evaluate the Starliner's reliability and was further postponed due to Hurricane Helene. SpaceX's Dragon vessel is scheduled to dock with the ISS for the handover of duties before Crew-8 returns to Earth on another SpaceX craft. Overall, the Crew-9 mission is expected to conduct approximately 200 scientific experiments during their time on the ISS.