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SpaceX Crew-10 Launches Successfully, Paving the Way for ‘Stranded’ Astronauts’ Return
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A new crew is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS), bringing long-awaited relief for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have spent an unexpected nine months in space.
On Friday, March 14, at 7:03 p.m. ET, SpaceX and NASA successfully launched the Crew-10 mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was originally scheduled for March 12 but was delayed due to a hydraulic issue.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is carrying astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with mission specialists JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. NASA estimates that the spacecraft will autonomously dock at the ISS around 11:30 p.m. ET on March 15 after traveling at 17,000 mph in Earth’s orbit.
What This Means for the ‘Stranded’ Astronauts
Once Crew-10 arrives at the ISS, a brief handover period will follow before Wilmore and Williams—who originally planned for a 10-day stay but have been there since June 2024—can finally return home. They are expected to depart as early as Wednesday, March 19, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who have been on the ISS since September.
Launch Follows Starship Explosion
This successful launch comes just eight days after SpaceX’s Starship rocket exploded mid-flight on March 6, temporarily grounding flights at Florida airports. Live stream footage showed that engines cut off roughly eight minutes into the launch after the booster had successfully returned to the tower.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established a Debris Response Area and briefly restricted air traffic. SpaceX later confirmed that a “high-energy event” caused the loss of several Raptor engines before the ascent burn was completed.
SpaceX has stated that a thorough investigation is underway in coordination with the FAA, and improvements will be made for future flight tests.
A Politically Charged Mission
Wilmore and Williams’ prolonged stay has not only tested their endurance but also sparked political controversy. Their return was repeatedly delayed due to mechanical failures, leading to the spacecraft that brought them to the ISS being sent back to Earth without them.
President Donald Trump has since blamed his predecessor for the situation, adding another layer of debate to their extended mission.
Despite the setbacks, with Crew-10 now en route, the long-awaited journey home for these astronauts is finally within reach.
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