NASA and SpaceX successfully launch Crew-10 astronauts to space station
- NASA's Crew-10 mission is set for launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
- The Crew-10 team consists of four astronauts, with McClain and Onishi making their second flights.
- With successful resolution of earlier issues, the launch indicates progress in space station missions.
On March 14, 2025, NASA and SpaceX were prepared for the launch of NASA's Crew-10 astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The launch, scheduled for 7:03 p.m. EST, was confirmed to proceed after addressing a hydraulic issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s clamp arm. With launch coverage initiated at 3 p.m. by NASA and a SpaceX feed starting one hour and 20 minutes before liftoff, the mission aims to rotate the Crew-10 team with the current Crew-9 astronauts. The Crew-10 mission includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. This flight marks the second mission for both McClain and Onishi while it is the first for Ayers and Peskov. The Crew-10 team is set to arrive at the Space Station docking station around 11:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 15, where they will change roles with Crew-9, which consists of astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. On a similar note, Crew-9 is scheduled to undock from the Space Station and return to Earth on or after March 19, with Williams and Wilmore riding back on that date. The Crew-9 mission had experienced a prolonged duration, extending to nine months due to issues with the Starliner program. SpaceX emphasized the reliability of the Dragon spacecraft for this mission, referencing its previous successful flights with other Crew missions, including Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7. The Falcon 9 rocket utilized for Crew-10 will also see its first stage booster employed for its second flight, having previously supported the SES 03b mPOWER-e mission. The mission faced previous delays attributed to high winds and adverse weather forecasts, demonstrating the tight conditions under which such space launches are conducted. Notably, SpaceX is also preparing for the launch of additional Starlink satellites, reflecting ongoing advancements in both cargo delivery and internet services from space.