NASA and SpaceX Proceed with Crew-10 Launch to International Space Station: Easy Details
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA and SpaceX are ready to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station on Friday, March 14, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The launch, set for 7:03 p.m. EDT, will carry four astronauts to swap out a crew stuck in orbit since June. It’s happening now to keep the station running smoothly and bring two stranded astronauts home.
A Second Try After a Scrub
The Crew-10 launch got the green light after a hiccup. On Wednesday, SpaceX called off the first try due to a hydraulic glitch in a clamp holding the Falcon 9 rocket. Teams fixed it fast — they flushed out trapped air in the system by Thursday. Now, the rocket and its Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, are good to go. Weather looks great too, with a 95% chance of clear skies, says the U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron.
This mission has four crew members. NASA’s Anne McClain leads as commander, with Nichole Ayers as pilot. Japan’s Takuya Onishi and Russia’s Kirill Peskov join as specialists. They’ll blast off from Launch Complex 39A, a pad with history from Apollo days. The trip to the station takes about a day — docking is set for 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15.
Why This Mission Matters
Crew-10 is the 10th rotation flight with SpaceX for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. It’s a big deal because it rescues two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. They flew up in June 2024 on Boeing’s Starliner for a quick test. But leaks and thruster issues kept them stuck. NASA decided Starliner wasn’t safe to return them, so Crew-10’s ride will bring them back with Crew-9 in late March.
The Crew Swap Plan
Once Crew-10 docks, they’ll spend a few days with Crew-9. That team — Williams, Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov — will show them the ropes. Then, Crew-9 hops into their Dragon and splashes down off Florida, weather permitting, around March 17. Crew-10 stays up for six months, doing over 200 experiments, like testing fire safety for future ships.
SpaceX Steps Up
SpaceX’s role shines here. NASA picked a used Dragon, Endurance, for this flight after a new one lagged in testing. Endurance has flown three times before — Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7. “Our partnership with SpaceX gives us flexibility,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager. This swap sped things up, dodging a longer wait for Williams and Wilmore.
A Bumpy Road to Launch
This wasn’t smooth sailing. The launch slipped from February to March due to spacecraft delays. Then, Wednesday’s scrub added tension. Some on X called Williams and Wilmore “stranded,” sparking chatter. Elon Musk and President Trump weighed in, claiming an earlier rescue was blocked — NASA says no such offer came. The focus now? Getting Crew-10 up safely.
The crew’s ready. They’ve been in quarantine since late February, first in Houston, then Florida. Suits are on, checks are done. The Falcon 9’s booster, B1090, is young — it’s only flown once before in December 2024. Everything’s lined up for a golden-hour liftoff, a rare treat for Space Coast fans.
What’s Next for Space?@
If all goes well, Crew-10 settles in for Expedition 72/73. They’ll study how space affects bodies, test navigation tricks, and chat with kids via ham radio. Success here keeps the station humming — a key step for NASA’s Moon and Mars dreams. A slip-up, though, could delay more missions or dent trust in commercial flights.
This launch tests NASA and SpaceX’s teamwork. A smooth flight boosts faith in private space travel. It also sets the stage for Crew-11 and beyond. For now, eyes are on Friday’s countdown. Will it soar? The world’s watching.