NASA and SpaceX team up for Crew-10 and Crew-11 in 2025

In 2025, NASA will rely on SpaceX for its Crew-10 and Crew-11 missions to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant partnership in space exploration. The Crew-10 mission is scheduled for no earlier than February and will carry astronauts from NASA, Japan, and Russia. Meanwhile, Crew-11 is expected to launch in July 2025, with crew members yet to be announced. This collaboration comes as Boeing's Starliner experiences delays and uncertainties concerning its operational readiness after recent technical setbacks during a previous mission with crew members. The Crew-10 mission will include NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, alongside Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The missions highlight NASA's commitment to maintaining a continuous human presence aboard the ISS, despite the challenges faced by other private aerospace companies. Boeing has faced a tough time with its Starliner spacecraft following a failed return during a previous crewed test flight, which has left its future flights undetermined. Boeing is currently assessing its next steps and understanding the issues that arose during earlier tests. While NASA keeps its options open regarding Starliner's future, it remains crucial for the agency to ensure all spacecraft meet safety and operational standards before launching crew. Ultimately, the situation illustrates the competitive landscape of space exploration, where reliable partnerships with companies like SpaceX are becoming increasingly important for timely missions to the ISS.