In preparation for NASA’s SpaceX 31st commercial resupply mission, four International Space Station (ISS) crew members will relocate the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft to a new docking port on Sunday, Nov. 3. This maneuver ensures that the forward-facing port of the Harmony module will be available for upcoming missions.
Live Coverage on NASA+ Starts Early
For space enthusiasts eager to follow the action, NASA will offer live coverage of the relocation starting at 6:15 a.m. EST on NASA+. Coverage will continue through docking and conclude shortly afterward. Find out how to watch this and other NASA events across multiple platforms, including social media and streaming services.
The relocation process will involve undocking the Dragon spacecraft from the forward-facing port of the ISS Harmony module at 6:35 a.m. and redocking at the space-facing port at 7:18 a.m., freeing up the module’s forward port for the next Dragon cargo mission, scheduled to launch on Monday, Nov. 4.
Meet the Crew of the SpaceX Crew-9 Mission
The four crew members leading this relocation are NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. With expertise spanning multiple missions, these astronauts and cosmonauts will carefully maneuver the spacecraft as directed by flight controllers from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and SpaceX Mission Control in Hawthorne, California.
Why Relocate the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon?
Relocating the Dragon spacecraft is essential for maintaining optimal docking configurations for future missions. By freeing up the forward-facing port on the Harmony module, NASA ensures that the Dragon cargo spacecraft can dock smoothly for critical deliveries of supplies and experiments to the space station.
| Crew Member | Agency | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Hague | NASA | Mission Specialist |
| Suni Williams | NASA | Pilot |
| Butch Wilmore | NASA | Commander |
| Aleksandr Gorbunov | Roscosmos | Flight Engineer |
How to Follow Space Station Activities
For real-time updates on space station activities, follow NASA’s social media channels. Stay informed about ISS missions and research by following @space_station and @ISS_Research on X (formerly Twitter). You can also connect via the ISS Facebook and Instagram accounts, or follow the space station blog for detailed posts on station happenings.
The SpaceX Crew-9 Mission: A Quick Recap
The SpaceX Crew-9 mission launched on Sept. 28 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and docked with the ISS on Sept. 29. As NASA’s ninth rotational crew mission under its Commercial Crew Program, Crew-9 is set to remain aboard the ISS until February 2025.
Each mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program continues to build upon the successes of previous flights, creating an efficient rotation system that ensures a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
The Future of Docking and Relocation Missions
As NASA and SpaceX push further into space exploration, docking and relocation missions such as Crew-9’s upcoming port shift demonstrate the flexibility and precision of current space technology. These missions not only optimize station operations but also create a framework for future exploratory missions to Mars and beyond.
Don’t miss this exciting milestone as NASA and SpaceX continue to innovate, making it possible for humanity to explore even greater distances!
