Upcoming Space Launch: Crew-10 Mission to the ISS
A diverse team of four astronauts from three different nations is poised for launch into space, embarking on an exciting mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their launch is scheduled for Wednesday evening, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
This mission, known as Crew-10, represents the 10th crewed flight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The astronauts will be transported to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule, dubbed Endurance. They are set to spend six months on the orbital laboratory, contributing to various scientific endeavors.
As Crew-10 prepares for launch, Crew-9, consisting of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, is scheduled to return to Earth on March 16. Wilmore and Williams have been aboard the ISS for nine months, after arriving via Boeing’s Starliner capsule last June. Originally intended for a brief stay, their mission was extended due to technical issues with the capsule, prompting NASA to prioritize safety and return the spacecraft empty.
When is the SpaceX Crew-10 Launch?
The launch of SpaceX Crew-10 is set for Wednesday, March 12, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The lift-off is scheduled for 7:48 PM local time, which corresponds to 11:48 PM GMT in the UK. The astronauts are anticipated to arrive at the ISS on Thursday, March 13, after their journey aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, propelled into space by a Falcon 9 rocket.
How Can I Watch the Live Stream?
For those interested in witnessing the launch live, coverage will be available on NASA+. The agency’s streaming service will kick off its broadcast at 3:45 PM local time, which is 7:45 PM GMT. Additionally, NASA+ will continue live coverage on Thursday when the capsule is scheduled to dock at the ISS at 4:00 AM local time, or 8:00 AM GMT. SpaceX will also provide a live stream of the launch, with their webcast commencing approximately one hour and 20 minutes prior to lift-off, accessible via X @SpaceX and the X TV app.
What is the Purpose of the Mission?
The four-member crew is expected to conduct a variety of scientific research during their six-month stay at the International Space Station. Among their planned experiments are:
- Material flammability tests to inform future spacecraft designs.
- Engagement with students via ham radio communications.
- Testing a backup lunar navigation solution using existing hardware.
- Participation in an integrated study focused on understanding the physiological and psychological changes experienced by humans in space, providing valuable insights for future deep-space missions.
Meet the Crew Members
The Crew-10 team comprises experienced astronauts and cosmonauts ready to take on the challenges of space exploration:
Anne McClain
Anne McClain serves as the Crew-10 commander and is embarking on her second mission to space. The 45-year-old astronaut previously held the role of flight engineer on the ISS from 2018 to 2019, where she led spacewalk operations. A Master Army Aviator and Experimental Test Pilot, McClain has an impressive background that includes flying combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, accumulating over 800 combat hours on 216 missions.
Nichole Ayers
US Air Force Major Nichole Ayers is the pilot for Crew-10, marking her inaugural journey into space. At 36 years old, she is among the 10 candidates selected in 2021 for NASA Astronaut Group 23. Before her selection, Ayers served as the assistant director of operations in the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska and logged more than 200 flight hours during operations in Iraq and Syria.
Takuya Onishi
Takuya Onishi, a 49-year-old mission specialist for Crew-10, is no stranger to space travel, as this marks his second mission. The former airline pilot became an astronaut with JAXA in 2009. He participated as an aquanaut in NASA’s Aquarius underwater laboratory during the NEEMO 15 mission and served as a flight engineer on Expeditions 48 and 49 to the ISS, where he spent a total of 113 days in space.
Kirill Peskov
Kirill Peskov, a 34-year-old cosmonaut, is joining Crew-10 as a mission specialist for his first spaceflight. With a background as an airline pilot, Peskov was selected as a cosmonaut candidate in 2018 at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. He qualified as a test cosmonaut for Roscosmos in 2020, preparing for this exciting venture into space.
