Crew-10 Successfully Arrives at International Space Station
Four astronauts aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft docked at the International Space Station (ISS) at 12:04 a.m. EDT on Sunday. NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov joined the orbiting station while it travelled 260 miles above the Atlantic Ocean.
Following the docking, crew members conducted standard leak checks and pressurisation procedures. Hatch opening was scheduled for approximately 1:45 a.m. EDT.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 enters space station after docking
Crew Expansion on the ISS
Crew-10 joined the existing Expedition 72 crew, bringing the total number of astronauts on the ISS to 11. The current crew includes NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Don Petitt, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner also remain aboard.
Figure 1: Current ISS Crew
The station will remain at full capacity until Crew-9 members, including Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Gorbunov, return to Earth. The crew rotation ensures a seamless transition of responsibilities aboard the ISS.
Extended Stay for Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been aboard the ISS for over nine months. They initially planned to stay for just eight days. Technical issues with their experimental spacecraft, Starliner, extended their mission.
Wilmore and Williams arrived in June 2024 to test the Boeing-built spacecraft. The mission faced delays due to multiple technical challenges. Problems included malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks in the propulsion system.
NASA decided against using Starliner for their return. Instead, Wilmore and Williams will travel back to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. NASA’s commercial crew programme manager Steve Stich supported the decision.
“Butch and Suni have done a great job and we are excited to bring them back,” he said.
NASA’s Decision to Use SpaceX Dragon
NASA prioritised astronaut safety in determining the return plan. The agency opted for the SpaceX Dragon as part of a scheduled crew rotation.
NASA’s Steve Stich stated, “We looked at a wide range of options and worked hand-in-hand with SpaceX to look at what was the best thing to do overall and when we laid all that out the best option was to have the one we are embarking upon.”
Boeing opposed the decision. The company argued that Starliner was safe for return. Dr Simeon Barber, from the Open University, said Boeing would likely face reputational damage.
“It’s not a good look for Boeing to see astronauts they took into space come back in a competitor’s craft,” Barber said.
Figure 3: The SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft carrying the four Crew-10 members
Political Reactions to the Extended Mission
The prolonged stay of Wilmore and Williams received political attention. Former President Donald Trump criticised the situation in a February interview.
“They got left in space,” Trump said.
Interviewer Sean Hannity responded, “They were supposed to be there eight days. They’re there almost 300.”
Trump replied with one word: “Biden.”
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also commented, asserting, “They were left up there for political reasons.”
NASA rejected these claims. The agency stated that its decision was based on technical assessments and safety priorities.
Astronauts Prepare for Return to Earth
The Crew-9 astronauts have begun handover procedures to Crew-10. Last week, Wilmore rang a ceremonial bell as Williams transferred command to cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin.
NASA’s Dana Weigel confirmed that the handover process was underway.
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“Weather always has to cooperate, so we’ll take our time over that if it is not favourable,” Weigel said.
Dr Libby Jackson, head of space at the Science Museum in London, supported NASA’s approach.
“Butch and Suni’s wellbeing would always have been at the very forefront of everybody’s minds,” she said. “NASA made those decisions based on good technical reasons, on programmatic reasons, and found the right solution that has kept Butch and Suni safe.”
Impact of the Extended Mission
Spending nearly 300 days in space instead of eight days presented unexpected challenges. Dr Simeon Barber highlighted the personal impact on the astronauts.
“When you are sent on a work trip that is supposed to last a week, you are not expecting it to take the best part of a year,” Barber said.
Long-duration spaceflight affects physical and mental health. Prolonged weightlessness weakens muscles and bones. Astronauts also experience psychological effects due to isolation and separation from loved ones.
Despite the challenges, Williams described the ISS as her “happy place.” The astronauts continued contributing to scientific research and station maintenance throughout their extended mission.
Figure 4: Sunita Williams describes being in space as her “happy place”
Crew-9’s Upcoming Return
NASA has scheduled the Crew-9 return for later this week. The final decision depends on weather conditions at the landing site. The agency will proceed only when conditions ensure a safe re-entry.
Wilmore, Williams, Hague, and Gorbunov will depart the ISS following a two-day handover with Crew-10. The return will mark the conclusion of their extended mission.
The successful docking of SpaceX’s Dragon and the return of Crew-9 highlight the complexities of spaceflight. NASA continues to manage missions with a focus on safety and operational efficiency.
