NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission is set to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) today, March 12, 2025, at 7:48 p.m. EDT (2348 GMT). This significant mission aims to conduct scientific research, test new technologies, and perform maintenance aboard the orbiting laboratory. Marking the tenth crew rotation to the ISS with SpaceX, the Crew-10 mission is the eleventh human spaceflight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The Crew-10 quartet includes: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos. Together, they represent three nations united by the common goal of advancing scientific knowledge through space exploration.
Anne McClain, selected by NASA in 2013, will serve as the commander of Crew-10. Born and raised in Washington, she is not only a colonel in the U.S. Army but also has amassed over 2,000 flight hours across 20 different aircraft. She previously participated as a flight engineer aboard the ISS for Expeditions 58 and 59. McClain's extensive training included instruction on the various systems of the ISS, spacewalks, and survival training, culminating with her completion of astronaut training in July 2015.
Joining her is Nichole Ayers, who was selected by NASA for the Astronaut Candidate Class of 2021. A Colorado native, Ayers graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and has become known for her exceptional flying skills, including over 200 combat hours during Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq and Syria. Ayers has logged over 1,400 total flight hours across multiple aircraft, including the T-38 and F-22 Raptor, and was serving as the assistant director of operations for the 90th Fighter Squadron prior to her selection as astronaut.
Takuya Onishi, representing JAXA, also brings significant experience to the Crew-10 mission. An astronaut who flew as a flight engineer for Expeditions 48 and 49, Onishi spent 113 days aboard the ISS. With over 3,700 flight hours from his prior role as a pilot for All Nippon Airways, Onishi captured public attention when he became the first Japanese astronaut to retrieve the Cygnus cargo spacecraft. His educational background includes a degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the University of Tokyo.
Lastly, Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos is making his first spaceflight as part of Crew-10. With his engineering background from the Ulyanovsk Civil Aviation School, he transitioned to the role of cosmonaut after working as a co-pilot for Russian airliners. His training also included complementary skills such as skydiving, scuba, and wilderness survival, which prepare him for the unique challenges of space travel.
The Crew-10 team will launch aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, named "Endurance," atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center located on Florida’s Space Coast. They are expected to arrive at the ISS on March 13, where they will replace the Crew-9 astronauts currently stationed aboard the ISS. Crew-9 includes NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The return of Crew-9, originally expected to fly for about ten days after arriving on Crew Dragon "Freedom," has been extended due to complications stemming from Boeing's Starliner mission.
NASA’s decision to go forward with the Crew-10 mission reinforces its commitment to international collaboration in space exploration. This mission not only furthers scientific research but also emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining partnerships among nations. With the upcoming launch and arrival sequences showcasing the synergy of NASA and private enterprises like SpaceX, the future appears bright for human expedition beyond our planet.
According to the Economic Times, "The Crew-10 mission will bring back NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth." Their return demonstrates the successful closure of this operational exchange and sets the stage for future endeavors as humanity continues to push the boundaries of space exploration.