NASA and SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed due to a hydraulic issue with the rocket’s clamp arm at the launch pad. Originally scheduled for March 12, 2025, the launch has been rescheduled to March 14 at 7:03 p.m. EDT, pending resolution of the technical problem.
The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, marking the 11th flight of the Dragon spacecraft with astronauts on board. The Crew-10 astronauts will spend approximately six months on the ISS, conducting crucial research and experiments aimed at advancing space exploration and scientific understanding.
Crew-10 Astronauts
Four astronauts from different space agencies will be aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Anne McClain (Commander, NASA) – A U.S. Army officer, engineer, and seasoned astronaut, McClain has previously spent 204 days aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 58/59. She brings valuable experience in space operations and research.
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Nichole Ayers (Pilot, NASA) – Making her first spaceflight, Ayers is a highly trained U.S. Air Force pilot, specializing in advanced aircraft operations. Her expertise will be critical for piloting the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
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Takuya Onishi (Mission Specialist, JAXA) – Representing Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Onishi is a former Boeing 767 commercial airline pilot and has already spent over 100 days in space during a previous ISS mission.
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Kirill Peskov (Mission Specialist, Roscosmos) – As a cosmonaut from Russia’s Roscosmos agency, Peskov’s presence underscores continued international cooperation in space despite geopolitical tensions.
Mission Objectives and Research Goals
The Crew-10 astronauts will be responsible for conducting a variety of scientific experiments and technological demonstrations that will benefit future space missions and life on Earth. Some key mission objectives include:
Microgravity Research – Studying how cells, tissues, and materials behave in a low-gravity environment, which can lead to medical breakthroughs and advancements in engineering.
Earth and Space Observation – Monitoring environmental changes on Earth and collecting astronomical data for deep-space research.
Technological Innovations – Testing new spaceflight technologies that will be crucial for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars under NASA’s Artemis program.
Human Health Studies – Investigating how prolonged spaceflight affects bone density, muscle loss, and cardiovascular function, providing insights for future astronaut missions and even medical treatments on Earth.
Relief for Extended ISS Crew Members
The arrival of Crew-10 is particularly crucial because it will enable the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded aboard the ISS for over nine months due to a Boeing Starliner capsule malfunction. Their return has been repeatedly delayed as NASA and Boeing work on solutions to bring them home safely.
Engineers are actively working to fix the Falcon 9 rocket’s hydraulic system before the new launch attempt. Live coverage of the launch will be available on NASA TV and SpaceX’s official channels. Crew-10 will dock with the ISS approximately 24 hours after launch, marking the start of their half-year mission.
The Crew-10 mission represents another milestone in NASA and SpaceX’s collaboration, demonstrating the continued success of commercial spaceflight partnerships in advancing human exploration beyond Earth.