Image Credit: X account @SpaceX
SpaceX Crew-10 Arrives at ISS to Replace NASA Astronauts
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), carrying four astronauts to replace NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stationed on the ISS for an extended nine-month mission. The arrival marks a crucial step in the continuous rotation of crew members aboard the orbiting laboratory.
SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Docks at ISS
Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Crew-10 mission arrived at the ISS approximately 24 hours after takeoff. The crew includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their arrival temporarily increases the ISS crew size to eleven before the scheduled return of Wilmore and Williams.
NASA Astronauts’ Extended Stay Due to Technical Delays
Wilmore and Williams initially traveled to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June 2024 for what was intended to be a short-duration mission. However, due to technical issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system, their return was delayed multiple times. With ongoing concerns over the capsule’s functionality, NASA opted to bring them back to Earth using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Planned Return and Crew Handover
The new crew members will spend several days adjusting to the ISS environment and conducting a standard handover with Wilmore and Williams. Once preparations are complete, the returning astronauts will board the Crew Dragon capsule, with splashdown expected off the coast of Florida, contingent on favorable weather conditions.
This mission underscores the importance of commercial space partnerships in maintaining ISS operations, highlighting SpaceX’s critical role in facilitating crew transportation and ensuring continued human presence in space.
