A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on March 16, 2025, at 12:04 AM EDT (04:04 GMT). This mission, referred to as Crew-10, marks the beginning of the long-awaited return for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have remained aboard the ISS for over nine months due to challenges encountered with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The arrival of Crew-10 paves the way for Wilmore and Williams, who were unexpectedly stranded, to finally return home.
The Crew-10 astronauts—comprising NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov—launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:03 PM ET on March 14, 2025. After approximately 29 hours of travel, the capsule completed its docking procedure with the ISS, joining the existing team of astronauts aboard, which includes Wilmore, Williams, and their colleagues, NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Wilmore and Williams, who were initially scheduled for just eight days on the ISS starting June 2024, found themselves faced with extended missions due to the Starliner’s technical problems. They have been on the space station since their launch last year, engaging not only in research but also maintaining the station, which saw them keep their spirits high through the uncertainty of their prolonged stay.
NASA had initially sent Wilmore and Williams to conduct tests aboard Boeing's experimental Starliner spacecraft, which was intended for crewed missions to the ISS. Unfortunately, the Starliner experienced significant propulsion issues and was deemed unworthy of safely flying the astronauts back to Earth. Recognizing the safety concerns, NASA made the decision to bring them home via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, pushing their return to coincide with scheduled crew rotations.
Speaking about their return, Wilmore expressed excitement, stating, “It will be great to finally be home after what has felt like such a long mission.” Meanwhile, Williams, reflecting on her experience, shared her emotional longing for her family and two dogs, highlighting the personal toll their extended absence has taken. She described the station as her “happy place,” though this extended effort has undoubtedly disrupted life back home.
During their final days aboard the ISS, Wilmore and Williams participated in the ceremonial handover where they transitioned command to other crew members, symbolizing their pending return. This included ringing a ceremonial bell—a tradition to mark their leadership shift aboard the orbiting laboratory. They will be making their return alongside Hague and Gorbunov, with their mission scheduled to undock from the ISS no earlier than March 19, 2025, contingent on favorable weather conditions.
SpaceX's role has been pivotal, not only for the success of this mission but also for the broader strategic partnership with NASA. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, conveyed his delight at bringing Wilmore and Williams back, emphasizing the collaboration with SpaceX as instrumental for the mission's success. “Butch and Suni have done a great job and we are excited to bring them home,” he remarked, stressing the importance of ensuring the astronauts’ well-being throughout the decision-making process.
The Crew-10 flight was not without its share of political disputes. President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have publicly suggested, without evidence, the idea of political negligence under the Biden administration. Trump remarked, “They got left in space,” igniting discussions about perceived priorities concerning the astronauts' safety. NASA's officials, including Stich, have countered these claims, affirming they acted based on technical assessments rather than political motivations, assuring the public, “We looked at various options, and the best plan laid out was the one currently being implemented.”
This mission not only reveals the challenges associated with space travel but also highlights the resilience of astronauts forced to adapt to unexpected conditions. Now, as the Crew-10 team settles aboard the ISS, they will share knowledge with Wilmore and Williams during their temporary cohabitation, enhancing the overall effectiveness of research efforts planned aboard the station.
The handover and eventual departure of Wilmore and Williams will symbolize the successful completion of what became more than just a routine storage mission. It delivers reassurance about America’s capabilities of reaching and maintaining operations on the ISS, providing vivid illustrations of human cooperating beyond Earth.
Crews aboard the ISS are anticipating their departure, having become accustomed to working alongside Wilmore and Williams, whose stories have become synonymous with this extended mission, garnering attention and support from the global audience. With their bye now imminent, the exertions of the past months serve as recognitions of the dedication of human spirit amid the perils of space exploration.