Space Force Guardian Col. Nick Hague is set to lead NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), a mission with significant stakes as it will retrieve two astronauts who’ve been stranded aboard the station due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Hague, a seasoned astronaut, will be joined by Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov for the mission, which is scheduled for launch on September 24.
This mission comes after astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived at the ISS in June, were left without a safe return vehicle when their Starliner spacecraft developed serious malfunctions, including helium leaks and control thruster problems.
Originally meant to spend just eight days on the ISS, the duo has now been there for months, with their return delayed until February 2025. NASA opted to send Hague and Gorbunov alone on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft so that Wilmore and Williams can use the extra seats on their journey back to Earth.
While this situation may seem like a rescue mission, NASA insists it’s not. According to the agency, the SpaceX Crew-9 mission is a “regularly scheduled” flight, with Wilmore and Williams continuing their science and maintenance duties aboard the ISS until their return.
Despite this, the mission has a unique twist, as their Starliner spacesuits are incompatible with the SpaceX Dragon, meaning that in the event of an emergency, the stranded astronauts would have to ride back unsuited—adding another layer of complexity to the operation.
Hague’s leadership in this mission highlights the unique role military astronauts play within NASA’s operations. As an active-duty Space Force officer assigned to NASA’s astronaut program since 2022, Hague represents NASA during his space flights, even though his roots are in the U.S. military’s newest branch.
The Space Force, which was founded in 2019, primarily focuses on protecting U.S. assets in space, such as satellites. Contrary to what its name might suggest, rescue missions aren’t part of its official duties.
This mission will mark Hague’s second trip to space. His first launch in 2018 was abruptly aborted due to a rocket booster failure, but he safely returned to Earth and later completed a 203-day stint aboard the ISS, during which he conducted three spacewalks. Hague’s extensive experience makes him an ideal candidate for leading this high-stakes mission.
Although NASA asserts this isn’t a rescue mission, the retrieval of Wilmore and Williams certainly has the feeling of one. Their unexpected extended stay on the ISS showcases both the challenges of space travel and the importance of having reliable spacecraft to ensure safe returns.
