On March 15, 2025, the Crew-10 spacecraft, carrying Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and three other crew members, successfully launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at precisely 8:03 AM JST. The launch marked another milestone for the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, demonstrating their continued commitment to space exploration.
The event was met with clear skies, as the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off smoothly, illuminating the morning sky as it embarked on its mission to transport the crew to the International Space Station (ISS). Earlier, at approximately 4:48 AM JST, Onishi, along with his colleagues Ann McClain, Nicole Ayers, and Kirill Peskov, began their movements toward the launch pad from NASA facilities.
Upon arriving at the launch site, the crew members received warm send-offs from their families, including support from fellow astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. At around 5:47 AM JST, operations continued with the closing of the Crew-10 hatch after all individuals exited the spacecraft. The Falcon 9 rocket was refueled shortly afterward, ensuring everything was set for launch.
By 8:03 AM JST, the spacecraft was released from the Falcon 9 rocket, successfully entering its designated orbit around Earth around 8:13 AM. Takuya Onishi expressed his gratitude both to the Japanese public and to NASA and SpaceX. "Thank you very much for your support, everyone in Japan. I'm savoring the feeling of zero gravity after 9 years. Enjoying this space trip to the ISS is something I am eagerly anticipating," he stated during the livestream broadcast from inside the spacecraft.
Originally scheduled for March 13, the launch was delayed due to technical issues within the ground systems during the final preparations. By securing successful lift-off on March 15, Takuya Onishi and his team commenced their approximately six-month adventure aboard the ISS.
Onishi's role is particularly significant as he will assume the position of ISS commander, making him only the third Japanese astronaut to carry out this duty, following Koichi Wakata and Akihiko Hoshide. During his time on the ISS, he is set to engage in various scientific experiments including the production of crystals for semiconductor materials and technology verification for removing carbon dioxide from the spacecraft’s air.
Onishi’s prior experience includes his first ISS mission back in 2016, and he has continuously emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of his crew and the ISS during his mission. "Securing the safety of the crew and the ISS is my utmost priority," he mentioned during a press conference held before launch.
His tenure aboard the ISS will coincide with the extended stay of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had their return to Earth postponed from the initially planned eight days to nearly nine months due to safety concerns with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The two astronauts are scheduled to leave the ISS on March 19, 2025, making way for Onishi and his colleagues. The onlooking public and global community are eager to see how the current ISS residents manage their work with the incoming crew, particularly related to impactful scientific research.
The Crew-10 mission is especially notable for being the 10th operational flight of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which has been transporting astronauts to the ISS since 2020 without any reported accidents. This successful launch reinforces SpaceX's reputation as a reliable partner for NASA, pushing boundaries for human space exploration.
Looking forward, the Crew-10 team is expected to dock with the ISS at around 12:30 PM on March 16, 2025. Viewers can catch the live broadcast of the docking process on the JAXA YouTube channel, starting at 1:30 PM JST.
With rigorous experiments lining the schedule, including studies on material flammability and human reactions to space environments, the team is all set to make significant contributions to scientific knowledge over the course of their mission.
Having made history with their launch, the Crew-10 team embodies the collaborative spirit of international cooperation, extending their expedition's reach beyond national boundaries and igniting inspiration for future generations of astronauts and scientists across the globe.