On the way to the ISS – “Crew Dragon” launched into space by SpaceX – News

• Originally, “Crew 9” of the “Dragon” spacecraft was supposed to launch with four astronauts on board.
• But the two “Starliner” passengers are still stuck on the International Space Station (ISS).
• The spaceship of the private company SpaceX took off from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in the US state of Florida with two astronauts instead of four. Ready to pick up the stranded people from the ISS.

The “Dragon” spacecraft is scheduled to reach the ISS late Sunday evening. The two-person crew is expected there by astronaut Suni Williams and her colleague Barry Wilmore, who have been stuck on the space station since June, contrary to plan. Their spaceship, the “Starliner,” returned to Earth without a crew after technical problems.

There is an American and a Russian on board. The departure had previously been postponed for a few days due to the storm “Helene”. The weather was still the biggest concern on Saturday. Rain and storms pose a risk until shortly before the start.

Scientific experiments on the ISS

On the ISS, the crew will carry out scientific experiments over several months as part of their mission. Among other things, experiments will take place on the physics of supernova explosions, on cells and on the growth conditions of plants, which will also provide important insights into life on Earth.

The stranded Williams and Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth together with the two “Dragon” passengers in February.