SpaceX Liftoff to Retrieve Stranded Astronauts From the ISS a Success

9:44 AM PT — SpaceX’s Dragon is up and away … having just detached from the rocket. Crew-9 is expected to reach the International Space Station tomorrow — and, should return with Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams early next year. Good luck!

A SpaceX mission is set to blast off Saturday with a crucial mission … to help retrieve 2 American astronauts stranded for months on the International Space Station … but it’s still going to be a while before they’re back on Earth.

The launch of SpaceX’s Dragon — piloted by NASA’s Crew-9 is scheduled for 1:17 PM ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida … but weather delays might be a snag given the deadly Hurricane Helene just battered a portion of the state.

Firing off of a new launch pad with 2 astronauts onboard — NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexandr Gorbunov … SpaceX’s Dragon vessel is set to dock with the ISS on Sunday, per the space agency.

When it returns in February … Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be aboard after being marooned on the ISS for months after several issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

As we previously reported … the duo have been stranded on the ISS since June 6, due to Starliner’s thruster troubles and helium leaks … after what was supposed to be a week-long stay.

Their troubled Boeing Starliner capsule successfully cruised back down to Earth from the International Space Station earlier this month — empty.

Godspeed, Crew Dragon!