NASA's Crew-10 mission successfully launched on March 14, 2025, at 7:03 p.m. Eastern from Kennedy Space Center, propelling four astronauts toward the International Space Station (ISS). This 10th crew rotation mission, operated by SpaceX, has gained additional attention due to its political ramifications surrounding the return of its predecessor crew.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off flawlessly, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi from JAXA, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, is expected to dock with the ISS at about 11:30 p.m. on March 15, 2025, marking another significant milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
"This mission is testimony of what humans can achieve when we work together. Go Crew-10," said Ayers shortly before launch, encapsulating the spirit of international collaboration. NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro added, "Congratulations to our NASA and SpaceX teams on the 10th crew rotation mission under our commercial crew partnership. This milestone demonstrates NASA’s continued commitment to advancing American leadership in space and driving growth in our national space economy.”
During their six-month stay aboard the ISS, the Crew-10 astronauts will contribute to various scientific endeavors. McClain, making her second trip to the station, will serve as mission commander alongside Ayers, who is on her first mission. They will be joined by veteran Onishi and rookie Peskov, both of whom are set to perform important experiments and technology demonstrations.
The Crew-10 launch had its challenges, initially postponed from February 2025 due to delays with Crew Dragon. Political scrutiny intensified over the past few months, especially concerning NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have stayed on the ISS for nearly ten months longer than planned due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
NASA and SpaceX officials described their mission planning as non-political. They have been focused on technical requirements and safety procedures for both Crew-10's launch and the return mission for Crew-9—a group of astronauts set to leave the station within days. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager, confirmed, "We really wanted to get this mission flown before the Soyuz and before we had this…" indicating the importance of timing within international crew rotations.
Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, previously claimed he was tasked by former President Trump to expedite the return of Wilmore and Williams for political reasons. Yet, NASA has maintained there was no political motive behind scheduling decisions. "The best option was really the one we’re embarking upon now, and we did on Crew-9, flying the two empty seats," noted Bill Gerstenmaier, SpaceX Vice President. "There were many discussions about how we could manage our efforts depending on the timelines and needs of the ISS projects.”
When Crew-10 arrives, it will initiate a brief handover process with Crew-9, during which the new arrivals will be brought up to speed on station operations and return preparations. While Crew-9 includes Williams and Wilmore along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, the handover will set the stage for them to return no earlier than March 19, 2025.
Adding to the operational complexity, the Crew-10 astronauts will engage students worldwide via the ISS Ham Radio program, conduct material flammability tests, and gather physiological data to aid future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars as part of NASA's Artemis campaign.
The Falcon 9 rocket's successful launch demonstrated SpaceX’s capability, with the first stage booster making its way back to Earth, landing at Cape Canaveral with precision. This was not just another mission; it was heralded as part of NASA’s bid to lay foundational elements for future deep space exploration endeavors.
SpaceX’s role as NASA’s commercial partner is pivotal for sustaining human presence beyond Low Earth Orbit. The collaboration exemplifies the integration of commercial and governmental efforts toward ambitious objectives. The upcoming days not only signal Crew-10's operational activities but also highlight the impending return for the Crew-9 astronauts who have faced unprecedented challenges during their extended ISS stay.
With this mission, NASA emphasizes its commitment to maximizing the ISS as a central hub for science and technology advancements. For Crew-10, skies are not the limit, but merely the beginning. Follow their progress as they contribute to humanity's quest to explore the final frontier.