Crew-10 Mission Set to Launch, Paving the Way for Starliner Astronauts’ Return

The long and unprecedented wait for NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following the troubled maiden voyage of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, is finally nearing its end. With the imminent arrival of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission, the stage is being set for their return to Earth after an extended nine-month stay in orbit.

The Crew-10 mission, SpaceX’s tenth science rotation mission to the ISS, is scheduled to launch on Wednesday night from Florida, carrying four spacefarers who will spend approximately six months living and working at the orbital outpost. Their arrival on Thursday morning will initiate a carefully orchestrated series of events that will ultimately lead to Williams and Wilmore’s homecoming.

The predicament began in June when Williams and Wilmore embarked on what was intended to be a short flight test of the Starliner spacecraft. However, a series of technical issues and safety concerns prompted NASA to deem the vehicle unfit for returning the crew. As a result, the two astronauts have unexpectedly remained in orbit, becoming integrated into Expedition 72, where they have been diligently contributing to space station maintenance and scientific experiments.

The Crew-10 mission is of paramount importance as it directly facilitates the return of Williams and Wilmore. Without a replacement crew to take over their responsibilities, the Starliner astronauts would be unable to leave the ISS.

Liftoff for the Crew-10 mission is scheduled for 7:48 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 12, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The four astronauts will be aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, propelled into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket.

NASA will provide extensive live coverage of the Crew-10 launch, beginning at 3:45 p.m. EST on the space agency’s streaming service, NASA+. The livestream will also be available on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel, allowing the public to witness this crucial event firsthand.

Following the launch, NASA’s live coverage will resume at 4 a.m. EST on Thursday, focusing on the Dragon capsule’s journey to the ISS and its docking with the space station’s Harmony module. Docking is anticipated to occur around 6 a.m., with the hatch opening at 7:45 a.m. A welcome ceremony is planned shortly after, officially marking the arrival of the Crew-10 team.

With Crew-10 safely aboard the ISS, the focus will then shift to the departure of Crew-9, the mission tasked with bringing Williams and Wilmore back to Earth. Crew-9, which arrived at the space station in late September, consists of NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their Dragon capsule was intentionally configured with only two crew members, leaving two extra seats available for the Starliner astronauts.

The tentative return date for Williams and Wilmore is Sunday, March 16, providing Crew-10 with a few days to acclimate to their new environment and receive comprehensive training from the outgoing crew. This handover period is a critical process, ensuring that the arriving astronauts are well-versed in the station’s systems, ongoing research, and daily operations.

Once Crew-9 undocks from the ISS with Williams and Wilmore aboard, the Dragon capsule will begin its descent back to Earth, ultimately culminating in a splashdown landing off the Florida coast. This will mark the end of an extraordinary and unexpected journey for the Starliner astronauts, allowing them to return home to their families and resume their lives on Earth.

The extended stay of Williams and Wilmore on the ISS has highlighted the inherent risks and challenges associated with spaceflight. The Starliner mission, intended to be a routine flight test, quickly transformed into a complex and protracted situation, requiring significant resourcefulness and adaptability from both NASA and the astronauts themselves.

Despite the unforeseen circumstances, Williams and Wilmore have remained dedicated to their mission, contributing valuable expertise and support to the ongoing operations of the ISS. Their resilience and professionalism have served as an inspiration to the entire space community.

The successful launch and arrival of Crew-10 will not only facilitate the return of the Starliner astronauts but also ensure the continuation of critical research and maintenance activities on the ISS. The four spacefarers of Crew-10 will embark on a six-month mission, conducting a wide range of experiments in areas such as human health, materials science, and technology development. Their work will contribute to our understanding of the space environment and pave the way for future human exploration of the solar system.

The Starliner program, while facing significant setbacks, remains an important element of NASA’s strategy for ensuring reliable and independent access to space. Boeing is actively working to address the issues that plagued the initial flight test and is committed to delivering a safe and capable spacecraft for future missions.

The Crew-10 mission represents a crucial step forward in resolving the Starliner situation and underscores the importance of international collaboration in space exploration. The partnership between NASA, SpaceX, and Roscosmos is essential for maintaining the operation of the ISS and advancing our collective knowledge of the universe.

As the world watches the launch of Crew-10 and anticipates the return of Williams and Wilmore, the spirit of exploration and the pursuit of scientific discovery remain at the forefront. The challenges encountered during the Starliner mission serve as a reminder of the complexities and inherent risks of spaceflight, but they also highlight the ingenuity and determination of the human spirit to overcome obstacles and push the boundaries of our understanding.