NASA and SpaceX have confirmed that the Crew-10 mission is now scheduled for liftoff on Friday at 7:03 pm EDT (Saturday, 4:30 am IST), aiming to finally bring home astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore after an unexpectedly prolonged stay in space. The announcement came shortly after the previous launch attempt was aborted due to a malfunction with a ground support clamp arm on the Falcon 9 rocket. Following a thorough technical review, NASA has given the green light for this crucial mission, expressing confidence that the issue has been resolved and the rocket is ready for flight.
Williams and Wilmore, both highly experienced astronauts and former US Navy test pilots, initially traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) for what was intended to be a brief eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, a series of persistent technical failures with the vehicle — including thruster malfunctions, helium leaks, and software glitches — left the astronauts stranded on the ISS for an unprecedented nine months. The Starliner capsule was ultimately returned to Earth unmanned, leaving NASA to turn to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for a reliable solution to retrieve the pair.
If the Crew-10 mission proceeds without further interruptions, Williams and Wilmore are expected to bid farewell to the ISS crew and start their long-awaited journey back to Earth after March 20. This mission also brings a new rotation of astronauts to the ISS, including NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The incoming team will continue ongoing scientific experiments, spacewalks, and station maintenance while ensuring the station remains fully operational.
Throughout the delay, NASA has repeatedly emphasized that the astronauts' health and safety remain its highest priority. Reports from the space agency confirm that the ISS is well-stocked with essential supplies, including food, water, medical equipment, and scientific materials, ensuring Williams and Wilmore have remained safe and healthy despite the unexpectedly long mission. NASA flight surgeons have been monitoring their well-being, and mission control teams in Houston have maintained regular communication to provide emotional and psychological support.
The Crew-10 mission’s timeline was originally expedited by two weeks following public calls from former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who urged NASA to accelerate efforts to bring Wilmore and Williams home. The delay has added further pressure on Boeing, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the aerospace giant’s Starliner program. In contrast, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has proven to be a dependable workhorse for NASA, solidifying its reputation as the leading provider of crewed space transportation.
For Sunita Williams, this mission has become a powerful testament to her resilience and unwavering dedication. A veteran astronaut of Indian-American heritage, she’s already completed two spaceflights and logged over 322 days in space — a remarkable achievement that places her among the most seasoned astronauts in history. Her extended stay, though unintended, has only reinforced her status as an inspiration to countless people, particularly young women and aspiring astronauts in India and the US.
As Williams and Wilmore prepare for their long-awaited return, anticipation and excitement are growing among space enthusiasts, scientists, and the astronauts' families. The upcoming journey marks not only a critical test of SpaceX’s capabilities but also a symbolic moment of perseverance and human ingenuity in the face of adversity. If all goes well, the Crew-10 mission will conclude this extraordinary chapter, bringing the astronauts home safely while paving the way for future missions to the ISS — and beyond.
