SpaceX Crew-10 Arrives at ISS to Replace Stranded Astronauts

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), delivering four astronauts to replace Butch Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, who have been stranded on the station for nine months.

The Crew-10 mission, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marks a critical milestone in the effort to bring the long-overdue Crew-9 members back to Earth.

The Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with Japan's Takuya Onishi and Russia's Kirill Peskov, docked with the ISS early Sunday morning. This automated docking process took approximately 29 hours after the Falcon 9 rocket propelled the capsule into orbit. After docking, an additional hour and 45 minutes of safety checks were conducted before the hatch was opened. The new arrivals were greeted warmly by the existing crew with handshakes and hugs, marking a moment of relief and celebration.

Wilmore and Williams initially arrived at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for what was intended to be an eight-day mission. However, technical issues with the Starliner's propulsion system rendered it unsafe for their return journey. NASA was forced to send the Starliner back to Earth without passengers, leaving the two astronauts stranded on the station. Their stay stretched far beyond the typical six-month rotation period, requiring additional supplies of clothing and personal items to support their extended mission.

The arrival of Crew-10 ushers in a two-day transition period during which Wilmore and Williams will familiarize their replacements with station operations. Once this handover is complete, Wilmore and Williams will board a SpaceX Dragon capsule that has been docked at the ISS since late September 2024. This capsule, which arrived with a downsized crew of two and reserved seats for their return, will carry them back to Earth alongside two other astronauts. Weather permitting, their journey home is scheduled to begin no earlier than Tuesday evening, with a splashdown off Florida's coast.

The delay in their return was further complicated by issues with their replacements' spacecraft. The original Crew-10 capsule required extensive battery repairs, prompting NASA to substitute it with an older capsule. This change pushed Wilmore and Williams' departure date from late February to mid-March.

Speaking after Crew-10's successful arrival, McClain expressed her excitement about joining the ISS team: "That is such an amazing journey. You can hardly even put it into words." Meanwhile, Williams reflected on her extended stay: "It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive."

As Wilmore and Williams prepare for their long-awaited return to Earth, this mission underscores both the challenges and triumphs of human space exploration. Their unexpected nine-month stay highlights the complexities of operating in space while showcasing the resilience of astronauts and ground teams alike.