NASA Crew-10 Celebrates ISS Arrival With ‘Stranded’ Astronauts

A Historic Docking at the International Space Station

In the early hours of Sunday, history was made as the SpaceX Crew-10 mission successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, carrying three astronauts and one cosmonaut, arrived just after midnight ET, marking a significant milestone in international space exploration. At 1:35 a.m., the hatches between the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, and the ISS were opened, uniting the newly arrived crew with the existing Expedition 72 team. The Crew-10 members—NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov—were greeted warmly by the ISS crew, which included NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Don Pettit, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner. The smooth docking and hatch opening signaled the beginning of a new phase of collaboration aboard the ISS.

Liftoff and the Journey to the ISS

The journey of Crew-10 began on Friday at 7:03 p.m. ET, when a Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft Endurance into space. The liftoff was flawless, and the spacecraft traversed the nearly 250-mile journey to the ISS without any issues. The success of this mission was not just a routine crew rotation; it carried additional significance due to the unique circumstances of the astronauts already aboard the ISS. Crew-10’s arrival marked the beginning of the end for an unexpected and extended stay for some of the Expedition 72 crew members.

The Return of the ‘Stranded’ Astronauts

Crew-10’s mission was not just about bringing new faces to the ISS; it was also about bringing relief to a group of astronauts who had been living in space longer than anticipated. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, both NASA astronauts, found themselves in an extended stay aboard the ISS after their initial mission took an unexpected turn. The two had arrived at the station as part of a test mission for Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule, a spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to and from the ISS. However, the Starliner encountered technical issues during its test flight, forcing it to return to Earth without the astronauts. As a result, Williams and Wilmore, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, were left aboard the ISS for more than eight months, far longer than their originally planned stay.

The Crew-10 mission brought hope for their return. The Dragon spacecraft Endurance arrived at the ISS with two empty seats, specifically designed to bring Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov back to Earth. The successful docking and hatch opening ensured that the handover of duties could begin, paving the way for the departing astronauts to prepare for their journey home.

Preparing for Splashdown

With the Crew-10 mission successfully underway, the focus now shifts to the return of the four astronauts who have been aboard the ISS for an extended period. Pending favorable weather conditions off the coast of Florida, their departure is scheduled for no earlier than Wednesday, March 19. The Dragon spacecraft that brought Crew-10 to the station will remain docked at the ISS, ready to carry Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov safely back to Earth. The splashdown will mark the end of an extraordinary chapter in their space journey, one that was filled with unexpected challenges and prolonged stays in space.

Despite the unusual circumstances, both Williams and Wilmore have repeatedly stated that they do not feel “stranded,” a term that has been widely used in media and social media to describe their situation. Their resilience and dedication to their mission highlight the spirit of astronauts who are prepared for the unpredictable nature of space exploration.

A New Era of International Collaboration in Space

The Crew-10 mission and the ongoing activities aboard the ISS underscore the importance of international collaboration in space exploration. The ISS, a symbol of global cooperation, has been continuously occupied by astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world for over two decades. Missions like Crew-10 remind us of the incredible feats that can be achieved when nations come together to advance scientific knowledge and push the boundaries of human achievement.

As the Crew-10 astronauts settle into their new home aboard the ISS, they will contribute to a wide range of scientific experiments and maintenance tasks, ensuring the continued success of the station. Meanwhile, the return of Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov will bring much-needed closure to their extended mission and allow them to reunite with their families and friends back on Earth. The Crew-10 mission is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and the power of collaboration in overcoming the challenges of space travel.

In conclusion, the Crew-10 mission represents more than just a routine crew rotation; it signifies hope, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of astronauts and cosmonauts to the pursuit of knowledge. As we look to the future of space exploration, missions like this remind us of the incredible progress being made and the boundless potential that lies ahead.