Aleksandr Vladimirovich Gorbunov is preparing for his first space mission in September 2024 as part of SpaceX’s Crew-9. A significant focus of his upcoming mission is the rescue of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who is currently on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 72. Williams is unable to return via Boeing’s Starliner due to safety concerns, prompting NASA to choose Gorbunov’s Crew Dragon capsule for her return.
Gorbunov graduated with honours from the Moscow Aviation Institute in 2014, specialising in spacecraft and upper stages, with a focus on aircraft operations and repairs. Before joining the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps, he served as a Lieutenant in the Russian Air Force and worked as an engineer at Energia, supporting cargo spacecraft launches.
In August 2018, Gorbunov was selected for the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps after passing rigorous medical examinations and training programs. He completed extensive training that included survival exercises, diving simulations, and flight simulations, eventually becoming a test cosmonaut after passing a state exam in November 2020.
Gorbunov is set to serve as a flight engineer on the ISS during Expedition 72, launching on September 26, 2024, aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule named Freedom. During this mission, he will collaborate with NASA astronaut Nick Hague, marking the first astronaut launch from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral.
Born on May 24, 1990, in Zheleznogorsk, Russia, Gorbunov’s background and training position him well for this important mission.
