The scheduled launch of NASA’s Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station was postponed due to a hydraulic system issue with the Falcon 9 rocket. The crew, consisting of astronauts from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos, had to exit the Dragon spacecraft as a result of the technical problem. Attempts to reschedule the launch for Thursday were thwarted by unfavorable weather conditions, leading to a potential launch on Friday. The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which relies on SpaceX to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
The next available launch opportunity is set for 7:03 p.m. ET on Friday, pending a review of the hydraulic system issue. Launch coverage will begin at 3 p.m. on NASA Plus, with the spacecraft expected to dock with the ISS at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Crew-10 mission holds significance as it marks the return of long-term ISS residents Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who have been waiting to return to Earth after arriving on a test mission for Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule. The delayed return of Crew-9 members is contingent upon the successful arrival of the new crew.
The arrival of Crew-10 will allow Williams, Wilmore, and their fellow astronauts to hand off ISS duties and return home on a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The prolonged stay of Williams and Wilmore on the ISS, due to technical issues with the Starliner capsule, will finally come to an end with the successful completion of the Crew-10 mission. The Crew-9 members are expected to depart the space station no earlier than Wednesday, March 19, depending on weather conditions at the splashdown locations off the coast of Florida.
The rescheduled launch of the Crew-10 mission on Friday will mark a significant milestone in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, showcasing the agency’s reliance on SpaceX for crew transportation to the ISS. The crew members, including astronauts from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos, are poised to embark on their journey to the space station following the resolution of the technical issue that resulted in the initial launch delay. The successful completion of the mission will pave the way for future crew rotations and expeditions to the ISS.
