A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named “Freedom,” is set to launch Saturday for the ISS with a reduced crew of one NASA astronaut and one Russian cosmonaut, leaving two seats open for Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. They have been on the ISS since June due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner, which was deemed unfit for their return. The Falcon 9 rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., after a delay caused by Hurricane Helene. NASA opted not to add extra ballast for the smaller crew. This mission, Crew-9, highlights SpaceX’s critical role in NASA’s astronaut transport.