Crew-10 Launch Delayed, Starliner Astronauts’ Return Further Postponed
Cape Canaveral, Florida – The planned launch of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission, a joint endeavor between NASA and SpaceX, has been delayed, further complicating the return of two NASA astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on the troubled Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The Crew-10 mission, initially scheduled to launch on Wednesday night, was called off less than an hour before its intended liftoff due to an issue with the launchpad’s ground system.
The delay introduces a new set of challenges for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who embarked on their journey to the ISS aboard the Starliner in June. Their extended stay at the orbiting laboratory, now exceeding nine months, has been marked by anticipation for the arrival of the Crew-10 team, which will relieve the outgoing Crew-9 astronauts.
Wilmore and Williams were integrated with the Crew-9 mission in September, adhering to a plan formulated by NASA several months ago. These routine science rotation missions, conducted under the crew program, typically span six months. However, the outgoing astronauts are required to wait for the arrival of their Crew-10 successors before they can board a SpaceX Dragon capsule and return to Earth.
The launch of the Crew-10 mission is now tentatively scheduled for no earlier than 7:03 p.m. EST on Friday. Liftoff will occur from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, a site of immense historical significance for the U.S. space agency.
The Crew-10 astronauts will journey into space aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket. The Falcon 9 rocket will propel the spacecraft into orbit before separating. NASA plans to provide comprehensive launch coverage, beginning at 3 p.m. EST on Friday, via its streaming service, NASA+.
Following a successful launch, the Dragon capsule transporting the Crew-10 team is expected to dock at the ISS around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. NASA will also provide live streaming coverage of the docking procedure.
The Crew-10 mission, as its name suggests, marks SpaceX’s tenth science rotation mission to the International Space Station. The crew consists of four international astronauts who will reside and work at the outpost for approximately six months.
The composition of the Crew-10 team includes astronauts from various international space agencies. Commander Michael Barratt of the United States, Pilot Jeanette Epps of the United States, Roscosmos Cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin and Mission Specialist Mattias Maurer from the European Space Agency.
The primary objective of the Crew-10 mission is to conduct a wide range of scientific experiments and maintenance tasks at the ISS. Their presence will allow for continuous research and operational activities at the orbital laboratory.
Had the Crew-10 mission launched as originally scheduled, Wilmore and Williams would have likely returned on Sunday, March 16, accompanied by the Crew-9 astronauts, aboard a Dragon capsule that arrived in September, with two seats reserved for them. However, the two-day delay of the launch has further extended the Starliner saga.
Once the Crew-10 spacefarers reach the space station, potentially on Saturday night, the new arrivals will undergo a period of familiarization with their new environment and the ongoing work at the ISS. This handover period, a crucial step in the transition process, allows the incoming astronauts to seamlessly integrate with the existing operations at the orbiting laboratory.
As a result of the delays, Starliner astronauts Wilmore and Williams, who have been at the space station for more than nine months, will join Crew-9 astronauts Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov to depart no earlier than Wednesday, March 19, for a splashdown landing off the Florida coast. The precise landing location will be determined based on weather conditions and other logistical factors.
The prolonged stay of Wilmore and Williams on the ISS underscores the challenges and uncertainties associated with the Starliner program. NASA and Boeing are working diligently to address the issues that have plagued the Starliner spacecraft and ensure its safe and reliable operation in the future.
The delay in the Crew-10 launch has a ripple effect on the schedules of the astronauts involved and the ongoing operations at the ISS. The collaborative efforts of NASA and SpaceX remain crucial for ensuring the successful completion of these missions and the continued operation of the orbiting laboratory.
NASA’s continued partnership with commercial space companies such as SpaceX is vital to the future of space exploration. These collaborations foster innovation, reduce costs, and expand access to space for both governmental and private entities. The Crew-10 mission is an example of the ongoing collaboration that will enable future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
