NASA and SpaceX planned to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, but a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm at Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center led to a delay. The next available launch window is scheduled for March 13 at 7:26 PM EDT, pending issue resolution.
New Launch Timeline & Live Coverage
According to NASA, live coverage of the Crew-10 mission will begin at 3:25 PM EDT on NASA+. If successful, docking at the ISS is expected around 11:30 PM EDT on Friday.
Crew & Mission Objective
A crew of four astronauts will embark on a six-month ISS mission aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Notably, this mission will facilitate the return of astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded on the ISS since June 2024. Originally scheduled for a week-long stay, their time in space extended due to technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Crew-9 Departure & Return Plans
With the rescheduled Crew-10 launch on March 13, Crew-9, consisting of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, is scheduled to leave the ISS no earlier than March 17 at 9:05 AM EDT. Weather conditions at the splashdown locations off the Florida coast will determine their exact return timing.
SpaceX’s Role in NASA’s Crew Rotation Program
SpaceX has completed 10 crew rotation missions and 11 human spaceflights under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission highlights SpaceX’s growing role in human space transportation.
Elon Musk & Trump’s Involvement in the Mission
Ahead of the original launch attempt, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his support for the mission and stating, “We are praying for you. We wish you Godspeed.”
Former US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the matter, accusing President Joe Biden of neglecting the stranded astronauts. Trump claimed he had “authorized Elon Musk” to lead a rescue operation using SpaceX’s Starship to bring back Wilmore and Williams. He further expressed his intent to personally greet the astronauts upon their return.
The Boeing Starliner Setback
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft transported the astronauts to the ISS with the intent of returning them safely. However, helium leaks and reaction control thruster failures forced the Starliner to return to Earth unmanned in September 2024, leaving Wilmore and Williams aboard the ISS.
What’s Next for NASA & SpaceX?
If Crew-10 launches successfully on March 13, it will mark another milestone in NASA’s partnership with SpaceX, demonstrating the reliability of Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft. The mission will also provide critical insights into future crewed spaceflights and the eventual human mission to Mars.
For real-time updates, visit the official NASA website or follow SpaceX on Twitter.
