Cape Canaveral, FL – March 15, 2025 – NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-10 mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This marks another milestone in SpaceX’s partnership with NASA as they continue ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS under the Commercial Crew Program.
Mission Details and Crew Members
The Crew-10 mission lifted off at 8:42 PM ET from Launch Complex 39A aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft named Endurance. This mission is particularly significant as it includes veteran astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams, marking her return to space after more than a decade. Williams, along with her three crew members, will spend six months aboard the ISS conducting scientific research and performing maintenance on the orbiting laboratory.
The full Crew-10 lineup includes:
- Sunita Williams (NASA, Commander) – A veteran astronaut with over 321 days in space, known for her extensive experience in spacewalks.
- Josh Cassada (NASA, Pilot) – Former test pilot and a member of the Crew-5 mission.
- Koichi Wakata (JAXA, Mission Specialist) – Representing Japan, Wakata has logged over 500 days in space across five missions.
- Jeanette Epps (NASA, Mission Specialist) – A first-time astronaut making history as the first Black woman to join a long-duration ISS mission.
Mission Goals and Science Objectives
During their six-month stay, the Crew-10 astronauts will focus on various scientific experiments, including:
- Studying human adaptation to microgravity to help prepare for future Artemis missions to the Moon and eventual crewed missions to Mars.
- Growing plants in space to advance research on space-based food production.
- Conducting robotics tests to enhance autonomous spacecraft operations.
- Performing station maintenance to upgrade solar arrays and other vital systems.
Rescue Mission for Stranded Astronauts?
One of the pressing concerns leading up to this launch was the status of astronauts aboard the ISS, particularly the Crew-9 mission members, who have remained in space for longer than initially planned due to a technical issue with their Crew Dragon return vehicle. NASA confirmed that the Crew-10 spacecraft can serve as a backup rescue vehicle if necessary, ensuring that Crew-9 astronauts can return safely to Earth.
Launch and Docking Timeline
- 8:42 PM ET – Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center.
- 8:50 PM ET – First stage separation and landing of the reusable Falcon 9 booster on the SpaceX drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas.
- 8:55 PM ET – Crew Dragon reached low-Earth orbit, beginning its 22-hour journey to the ISS.
- March 16, 6:30 PM ET – Crew Dragon Endurance is expected to dock with the ISS.
NASA and SpaceX: A Growing Partnership
This launch further cements the NASA-SpaceX alliance, which has been instrumental in reviving U.S. human spaceflight capabilities since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011. The Commercial Crew Program allows private companies like SpaceX to provide reliable access to space, reducing reliance on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft for astronaut transport.
What’s Next?
- Crew-9’s return to Earth is tentatively scheduled for next week, pending the arrival and successful integration of Crew-10.
- NASA and SpaceX are also preparing for the upcoming Artemis II mission, which aims to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.
Final Thoughts
As Crew-10 embarks on their journey, this mission highlights the continued advancements in space travel and the critical role private-public partnerships play in the future of human space exploration. With NASA and SpaceX working together, the dream of long-term space habitation—on the ISS, the Moon, and eventually Mars—moves closer to reality.
