SpaceX Launches Crew to Return Astronauts from ISS
On Friday, SpaceX successfully launched a crewed NASA mission aimed at bringing two astronauts back from the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was necessitated by extended technical issues with Boeing’s spacecraft, which resulted in the astronauts’ extended stay of nine months, prompting SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump to suggest that the delay was due to “political reasons.” An earlier launch had faced delays just prior to liftoff.
Key Facts
- SpaceX launched the Crew-10 mission on its Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at approximately 7:03 p.m. EDT.
- The mission features NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, who will relieve astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
- Williams and Wilmore, who arrived at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner, had their return delayed due to several technical issues.
- The current crew members are slated to leave the ISS by Wednesday, March 19, with a planned splashdown off Florida’s coast, according to NASA.
Big Number
282 days. That’s how long Wilmore and Williams have been aboard the ISS, exceeding the expected mission duration of 8-10 days.
Why Are Williams and Wilmore Still on the ISS?
Upon arriving at the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner, NASA postponed a return flight for Wilmore and Williams after discovering helium leaks and thruster complications with the spacecraft. SpaceX had previously launched a crewed Dragon capsule in September to return the astronauts, but they could not leave at that time without potentially understaffing the ISS.
What Have Musk and Trump Said About NASA’s Astronauts?
Musk accused authorities of leaving the astronauts in orbit for “political reasons,” arguing that their return was unnecessarily delayed. He echoed Trump’s insinuation that the Biden administration intended to “abandon” them in space, although both Wilmore and Williams dismissed these claims. Williams clarified, “I don’t think those words are quite accurate… We are part of something bigger than ourselves, we are part of the International Space Station.” Wilmore also stated, “It’s been trying at times, no doubt. But stranded? No. Stuck? No. Abandoned? No.”
Key Background
Crew-10 marks the 10th mission to rotate staff aboard the ISS utilizing SpaceX’s spacecraft. The launch had previously faced delays due to a hydraulic ground issue and inclement weather conditions, according to NASA. Looking ahead, NASA has other crewed missions planned aboard SpaceX’s spacecraft, including Crew-11, expected to launch no earlier than July 2025.
