Historic Crew-10 Launch Clears Path for ISS Crew Return

SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission soared successfully into space at 7:03 p.m. EDT. The launch marked a most important achievement in space exploration and temporarily increased the International Space Station’s crew size to 11 members. Four astronauts – Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov – rode the Falcon 9 rocket into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The launch from Complex 39A stands as a vital stage in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program that advances American leadership in space. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return home after spending approximately 290 days aboard the ISS. The Crew-10 team will dock with the space station at 11:30 p.m. on March 15 and conduct material flammability tests while involving students worldwide through the ISS Ham Radio program.

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket from Kennedy Space Center

“We’re gonna get ’em back.” — Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX

SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew-10 mission from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center after a scrubbed attempt on March 12 due to hydraulics issues. The successful liftoff happened at 23:03:48 UTC on March 14, 2025.

Technical challenges emerged before the launch. The engineering team found trapped air in the hydraulics system of a clamp arm on the strongback that supports and stabilizes the Falcon 9’s second stage. SpaceX’s technicians solved the problems through a complete system flush.

The team switched to the Dragon spacecraft Endurance, a veteran of three ISS missions, instead of using a new vehicle as originally planned. Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX’s vice president for build and flight reliability, explained this change came from battery concerns in the new Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The Dragon spacecraft reached speeds of 17,500 mph during the Falcon 9’s ascent. Dragon started a series of exact maneuvers after stage separation. The spacecraft checked its propulsion systems, verified life support, and evaluated thermal control systems. Several orbit-raising burns helped line up with the International Space Station’s orbital path.

Falcon 9 booster B1090 flew its second mission after its first flight in December 2024. The SpaceX team ran extra tests before the Crew-10 launch that included a static fire test of the booster and ground testing of the Draco thrusters.

Launch Complex 39A’s role in human spaceflight continues under SpaceX’s lease from NASA since 2014. The facility’s strong infrastructure includes a Crew Access Arm added in 2018 specifically for Dragon spacecraft operations. SpaceX assembles rockets horizontally in a nearby hangar, then moves and positions them vertically at the launch pad.

This mission stands as SpaceX’s tenth crew rotation flight to the space station and the eleventh human spaceflight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Astronauts aboard the ISS have advanced research and technological development over the last 24 years through continuous human presence.

Crew-10 Astronauts Begin Journey to International Space Station

The Dragon spacecraft Endurance has started its autonomous trip to the International Space Station with four crew members after breaking away from the Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft will perform a series of precise orbital moves to dock at the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15.

The international crew blends seasoned astronauts with space newcomers. Commander Anne McClain from Spokane, Washington guides her second ISS mission. Her 2018 expedition included two spacewalks that lasted 13 hours and 8 minutes. She later served as branch chief and space station assistant to NASA’s Astronaut Office after her first mission.

Nichole Ayers makes history as the first member of NASA’s 2021 astronaut class to get a crew assignment as mission pilot. Her impressive aviation background includes more than 1,400 flight hours and 200 hours in missions to curb enemy forces.

JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi returns as mission specialist after spending 113 days in space during Expeditions 48 and 49 in 2016. Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, who previously flew Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft as co-pilot, begins his first space mission.

The crew will work on over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during their six-month stay. Their key research includes:

• Material flammability tests for future spacecraft designs
• Advanced plant experiments studying carbon dioxide capture mechanisms
• Integrated physiological and psychological studies to understand human body changes in space

The Dragon spacecraft runs autonomously but allows manual control when needed. Once docked, the crew will join Expedition 72/73, which will expand the station’s current crew size. Their mission supports NASA’s plans for future lunar missions through the Artemis program while helping life on Earth through scientific discoveries.

SpaceX mission control in Hawthorne, California watches all spacecraft moves after the systems went through complete verification, ready for manual control if needed.

NASA Prepares Complex Crew Handover Operations

Crew-10’s arrival at the International Space Station kicks off a complex crew handover operation. The station maintains continuous staffing through coordinated crew rotations during direct handover periods.

This time, the crews will have a three-day overlap instead of the usual week-long transition. The outgoing crew uses this time to brief their replacements about safety protocols, vehicle changes, and ongoing scientific work.

More crew members on board create unique operational challenges. The astronauts work with flight controllers to set up temporary “campout” spots when sleeping quarters run short. The combined crew keeps up with their regular schedule that includes:

• Daily two-hour exercise routines
• Science experiment continuity
• Essential station maintenance tasks

The station’s life support systems handle these busy periods remarkably well. Environmental controls can support extra crew members without any performance issues. Mission planners watch the power generation closely because solar arrays are degrading faster than expected.

Ground control and orbital crews work together in perfect sync during handovers. NASA’s Johnson Space Center Mission Control provides round-the-clock supervision through specialized flight control rooms. Each room has experts who monitor different spacecraft systems.

Crew-10 will get detailed orientation tasks right after arrival. These steps help them adjust to their new microgravity environment. The departing crew prepares for their trip home once the brief handover ends, marking another successful rotation in the station’s ongoing occupation.

Automated systems play a vital role in crew transitions. DSA technology makes quick decisions and coordinates multiple spacecraft. This proves valuable during complex docking and undocking operations. The autonomous capability becomes essential while managing increased traffic around the station during crew rotations.

These smooth handovers show NASA’s steadfast dedication to keeping humans in space continuously for over two decades. Careful planning ensures that vital research and exploration continue without interruption aboard the International Space Station.

SpaceX has achieved a new milestone with its Crew-10 mission, marking the company’s tenth crew rotation flight to the International Space Station. The mission turned into a soaring win despite some early technical challenges and proved the strength of modern space operations. The smooth teamwork between crew members from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos shows how space exploration brings nations together.

Ground control and orbital crews demonstrated remarkable coordination during the three-day handover operations. Scientists have planned more than 200 experiments that could make life better here on Earth. This mission reinforces human presence in space, which continues strong after more than 20 years aboard the International Space Station.

Crew-10’s successful launch and the scheduled return of astronauts Williams and Wilmore show how space operations keep evolving. Regular crew rotations will give uninterrupted scientific research opportunities while pushing technology forward for deep space missions. Each successful mission brings us closer to ambitious space exploration goals, from settling on the Moon to sending humans to Mars.