Who’s replacing Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore? Meet the Crew-10 astronauts heading to the ISS |

NASA’s Crew-10 mission, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is about to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on March 15 at 11:30 PM ET (March 16 at 9:00 AM IST). The arrival of the new crew marks a big milestone because it permits the long-awaited return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who’ve been on the ISS for 9 months due to technical delays. The incoming astronauts—Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos—will take over operations after a brief handover interval.
The Crew-10 mission is a routine a part of NASA’s crew rotation schedule, guaranteeing steady scientific analysis and upkeep aboard the ISS. However, it additionally performs a vital position in resolving the extended keep of Wilmore and Williams, who initially arrived on the station aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which encountered a number of technical failures.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore prepares for Earth return: Who are the Crew-10 astronauts replacing them

The Crew-10 mission was launched on March 15 at 7:03 PM ET (March 16 at 4:33 AM IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carried the Crew Dragon capsule, which separated from the rocket roughly 10 minutes after launch. The spacecraft then started its 24-hour journey to the ISS, throughout which the crew carried out system checks and monitored the spacecraft’s method to guarantee a easy docking.
Once the Crew Dragon docks with the ISS, the variety of astronauts aboard the station will quickly enhance to 11. The newcomers will be a part of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Don Pettit, in addition to Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.

Sunita Williams to go away ISS after Crew-10 handover completion

A quick two-day handover interval will happen, permitting the outgoing Crew-9 astronauts to switch tasks and present operational updates to the newcomers. This transition ensures that ongoing analysis and upkeep actions proceed seamlessly.
Following this era, NASA has scheduled the departure of Crew-9—Wilmore, Williams, Hague, and Gorbunov—no sooner than March 19. Their return will rely upon favorable climate situations at designated splashdown websites off the Florida coast. NASA and SpaceX will monitor situations carefully to decide the most secure time for undocking and reentry.

Challenges main to Sunita Williams’ delayed return

Wilmore and Williams have been initially despatched to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule for what was supposed to be a short-duration check mission. However, technical points—together with helium leaks and thruster malfunctions—prevented the spacecraft from being cleared for a protected return.
Due to these persistent points, NASA determined to deliver the two astronauts again utilizing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which had already been docked at the ISS for emergency situations. Their delayed return has drawn vital consideration, particularly as NASA accelerates plans to resolve the state of affairs. The upcoming Crew Dragon return mission will lastly deliver the two astronauts again to Earth after 9 months in house.

Crew-10’s mission targets

Once the transition is full, Crew-10 will start their six-month keep aboard the ISS. Their mission consists of a wide range of scientific experiments, expertise demonstrations, and upkeep duties vital to future house exploration. Some of their key targets embody:

NASA’s Crew-10 begins ISS duties, clearing path for Sunita Williams’ return

Following the departure of Crew-9, Crew-10 will assume full operational management of the ISS. Their six-month keep will contribute to NASA’s ongoing analysis in preparation for deep-space exploration missions. Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams will endure post-mission medical evaluations and reintegration procedures as soon as they return to Earth.
NASA continues to emphasize the significance of the Commercial Crew Program, which permits personal firms like SpaceX and Boeing to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. While the Boeing Starliner mission confronted setbacks, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has confirmed to be a dependable possibility for crewed missions.
With Crew-10 efficiently reaching orbit and the long-delayed return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore lastly approaching, NASA stays dedicated to guaranteeing the security and success of future missions aboard the ISS.
Also learn | Sunita Williams’ 9-month house mission nears finish with ISS crew swap and Falcon 9 touchdown