NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-10 mission on Friday, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on a routine rotation flight. This mission also plays a crucial role in bringing back two American astronauts who have been stranded in space for nine months.
Flawless Launch from Florida
The Falcon 9 rocket ignited and lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:03 p.m. ET (5:03 a.m. PKT, Saturday). Cheers erupted in the mission control room as the rocket passed all checkpoints without any complications.
Crew Members Aboard Crew-10
The mission comprises four astronauts representing different space agencies:
- Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos, Russia) – Mission Specialist
- Nichole Ayers (NASA, U.S.) – Pilot
- Anne McClain (NASA, U.S.) – Commander
- Takuya Onishi (JAXA, Japan) – Mission Specialist
As the spacecraft ascended into orbit, each astronaut took a moment to express gratitude toward mission personnel and highlighted the importance of global cooperation in space exploration.
Rescue Mission for Stranded Astronauts
One of the primary objectives of Crew-10’s mission is to facilitate the return of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, two NASA astronauts who have been unable to leave the ISS since June 2024.
The duo initially traveled to the space station aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, due to a critical propulsion malfunction, their return trip was deemed unsafe. NASA made the decision to bring the capsule back to Earth empty in September, leaving Wilmore and Williams aboard the ISS indefinitely.
With Crew-10 now en route, Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to depart the station on March 19 and finally return home safely.
28-Hour Journey to the ISS
The Crew-10 team is expected to arrive at the ISS late Saturday night (Sunday morning PKT) after a 28-hour transit.
As the spacecraft reached orbit, mission control extended their well wishes, while each crew member shared messages of appreciation for their families, supporters, and the entire ground team.
This mission marks another milestone in international space collaboration, showcasing the joint efforts of NASA, SpaceX, Roscosmos, and JAXA in advancing human space exploration.
