On Friday at 7:03 p.m. EDT, four astronauts embarked on a groundbreaking journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission.
The launch took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to propel the Dragon spacecraft into orbit.
Meet the Crew of Crew-10 The mission comprises an international team of four astronauts: NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
These crew members will join the existing Expedition 72/73 team aboard the ISS for a long-duration mission, contributing to scientific advancements and technology development.
Docking and Mission Timeline The spacecraft is expected to autonomously dock at the forward-facing port of the Harmony module at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15.
Shortly after, the new arrivals will be welcomed aboard, increasing the station’s occupancy to 11 astronauts for a brief period.
Crew-10 will replace members of Crew-9, who will return to Earth following a transition period, with their departure scheduled no earlier than March 19.
NASA’s Commitment to Space Exploration Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro emphasized the significance of this mission, stating, “This launch marks a major milestone in our commercial crew program, reinforcing America’s leadership in space exploration and advancing our national space economy.
Missions like Crew-10 pave the way for deeper space exploration, benefiting humanity as we prepare for journeys beyond low Earth orbit.”
Monitoring and Live Coverage Throughout the flight, SpaceX mission control in Hawthorne, California, will oversee the automated spacecraft maneuvers, while NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston will handle space station operations. Live coverage of the docking process and hatch opening will begin on NASA+ at 9:45 p.m. on March 15, providing real-time updates.
Once onboard, the crew will change out of their spacesuits, prepare cargo for offload, and officially integrate into the ISS team. A broadcast featuring welcome messages from Crew-10 and farewell remarks from Crew-9 will take place around 1:40 a.m. on March 16.
Crew-10’s Research and Scientific Contributions During their stay, the Crew-10 astronauts will conduct various experiments, including material flammability studies crucial for future spacecraft safety.
Additionally, they will participate in student engagement activities via the ISS Ham Radio program and test backup lunar navigation solutions using existing station hardware.
Another key aspect of the mission involves physiological and psychological research, enhancing our understanding of the human body’s adaptation to extended space travel, which is essential for future deep-space missions.
Continuing NASA’s Legacy in Space For over 24 years, the ISS has served as a vital research hub, supporting human spaceflight advancements and the development of technologies necessary for future commercial space destinations.
The Crew-10 mission further strengthens NASA’s efforts in long-term space exploration, supporting initiatives such as the Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon and beyond.
Crew Members and Their Roles
- Anne McClain: Commander of Crew-10, making her second visit to the ISS since becoming an astronaut in 2013. She will serve as a flight engineer for Expeditions 72/73.
- Nichole Ayers: Pilot of Crew-10, undertaking her first spaceflight since her astronaut selection in 2021. She will also act as a flight engineer aboard the station.
- Takuya Onishi: Mission specialist, representing JAXA on his second journey to the ISS, where he will serve as a flight engineer.
- Kirill Peskov: Mission specialist from Roscosmos, making his first trip to space and contributing as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72/73.
For more details on this mission and future NASA updates, visit NASA’s official news release.
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