NASA’s Crew-10 mission, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on March 15 at 11:30 PM ET (March 16 at 9:00 AM IST). The arrival of the new crew marks a significant milestone as it enables the long-awaited return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who have been on the ISS for nine months due to technical delays. The incoming astronauts—Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos—will take over operations after a short handover period.
The Crew-10 mission is a routine part of NASA’s crew rotation schedule, ensuring continuous scientific research and maintenance aboard the ISS. However, it also plays a crucial role in resolving the prolonged stay of Wilmore and Williams, who originally arrived on the station aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which encountered multiple technical failures.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore prepares for Earth return: Who are the Crew-10 astronauts replacing them
The Crew-10 mission was launched on March 15 at 7:03 PM ET (March 16 at 4:33 AM IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carried the Crew Dragon capsule, which separated from the rocket approximately 10 minutes after launch. The spacecraft then began its 24-hour journey to the ISS, during which the crew performed system checks and monitored the spacecraft’s approach to ensure a smooth docking.
Once the Crew Dragon docks with the ISS, the number of astronauts aboard the station will temporarily increase to 11. The newcomers will join NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Don Pettit, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.
Sunita Williams to leave ISS after Crew-10 handover completion
A brief two-day handover period will take place, allowing the outgoing Crew-9 astronauts to transfer responsibilities and provide operational updates to the newcomers. This transition ensures that ongoing research and maintenance activities continue seamlessly.
Following this period, NASA has scheduled the departure of Crew-9—Wilmore, Williams, Hague, and Gorbunov—no earlier than March 19. Their return will depend on favorable weather conditions at designated splashdown sites off the Florida coast. NASA and SpaceX will monitor conditions closely to determine the safest time for undocking and reentry.
Challenges leading to Sunita Williams’ delayed return
Wilmore and Williams were originally sent to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule for what was intended to be a short-duration test mission. However, technical issues—including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions—prevented the spacecraft from being cleared for a safe return.
Due to these persistent issues, NASA decided to bring the two astronauts back using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which had already been docked at the ISS for emergency scenarios. Their delayed return has drawn significant attention, especially as NASA accelerates plans to resolve the situation. The upcoming Crew Dragon return mission will finally bring the two astronauts back to Earth after nine months in space.
Crew-10’s mission objectives
Once the transition is complete, Crew-10 will begin their six-month stay aboard the ISS. Their mission includes a variety of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and maintenance tasks critical to future space exploration. Some of their key objectives include:
- Lunar Navigation Studies: Testing new navigation technologies for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.
- Material Flammability Research: Studying how different materials burn in microgravity to improve safety in future spacecraft designs.
- Human Health Studies: Conducting research on how prolonged space travel affects the human body, which will be essential for missions to Mars.
NASA’s Crew-10 begins ISS duties, clearing path for Sunita Williams’ return
Following the departure of Crew-9, Crew-10 will assume full operational control of the ISS. Their six-month stay will contribute to NASA’s ongoing research in preparation for deep-space exploration missions. Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams will undergo post-mission medical evaluations and reintegration procedures once they return to Earth.
NASA continues to emphasize the importance of the Commercial Crew Program, which allows private companies like SpaceX and Boeing to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. While the Boeing Starliner mission faced setbacks, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has proven to be a reliable option for crewed missions.
With Crew-10 successfully reaching orbit and the long-delayed return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore finally approaching, NASA remains committed to ensuring the safety and success of future missions aboard the ISS.
Also read | Sunita Williams’ 9-month space mission nears end with ISS crew swap and Falcon 9 landing