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In a remarkable display of international cooperation, Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Vladimirovich Gorbunov is set to lead a high-stakes mission to rescue NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Gorbunov’s rescue mission is scheduled for February 2025, marking a pivotal moment in space collaboration.The cosmonaut will first embark on his inaugural spaceflight in September 2024 as part of SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. The launch, set for September 28, 2024, will take place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with NASA and SpaceX teams fully prepared.
Accompanying Gorbunov on this mission will be NASA astronaut Nick Hague. Together, they will spend five months aboard the ISS, conducting research and performing vital maintenance tasks. A key focus of the mission will be the safe return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, highlighting the global effort to ensure the astronauts’ safe journey back to Earth.
Who is Aleksandr Gorbunov?
Aleksandr Vladimirovich Gorbunov is a Russian cosmonaut with a rich background in space engineering and military service. Born in Zheleznogorsk, in the Kursk region of Russia, Gorbunov studied engineering at the prestigious Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), where he specialised in spacecraft and upper stage technologies.
Before joining the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps in 2018, Gorbunov served as a Lieutenant in the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Armed Forces and worked as an engineer at Energia, a major Russian spacecraft manufacturer. During his time at Energia, he supported cargo spacecraft launches, gaining invaluable experience that would serve him well in space missions.
Early career and training of Aleksandr Gorbunov
Gorbunov’s journey to becoming a cosmonaut began in 2015, when he underwent rigorous medical evaluations and training. By 2018, after clearing multiple assessments and survival tests, he officially joined the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps. Over the next few years, he honed his skills in everything from winter survival to zero-gravity operations and extensive flight training aboard L-39 aircraft.
His training also included parachute exercises, water survival drills, and even practice missions simulating spacecraft landings in extreme environments like the steppe and forest. By December 2020, he had passed the state exams and earned the qualification of a test cosmonaut.
In 2022, Gorbunov was approved as part of the main crew for ISS Expedition 72, a pivotal mission that would eventually lead him to his upcoming role in SpaceX’s Crew-9.
SpaceX Crew-9 mission: A key milestone
Scheduled for launch in September 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the Crew-9 mission will mark Gorbunov’s first flight to space. He will be joined by NASA astronaut Nick Hague on a five-month mission to the ISS.
While their objectives include conducting scientific research and performing essential maintenance tasks, the mission’s key focus will be rescuing the stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
The rescue mission is expected to take place in February 2025, using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will allow Gorbunov to safely bring the astronauts back to Earth. This international effort exemplifies the growing spirit of collaboration between space agencies, ensuring that critical missions like this succeed.
Also read: Sunita Williams’ space journey: Milestones, records, and cultural significance
