NASA SpaceX Crew-10 Launch: Latest News and In-Depth Understanding

 

NASA SpaceX Crew-10 Launch: Latest News and In-Depth Understanding

March 13, 2025 | 12:45 PM IST

The NASA SpaceX Crew-10 mission has been a focal point of anticipation for space enthusiasts and the general public alike, not only for its scientific objectives but also for its critical role in bringing two stranded astronauts back home. As of today, March 13, 2025, the mission’s launch has hit a snag, with the latest attempt scrubbed due to a technical issue. Here’s an in-depth look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what we can expect next.

The Latest News: Launch Scrubbed on March 12

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:06 p.m. EDT (approximately 43 minutes before the scheduled 7:48 p.m. liftoff), NASA and SpaceX made the call to scrub the Crew-10 launch from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The four astronauts—NASA’s Anne McClain (commander) and Nichole Ayers (pilot), Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov—were already strapped into the Crew Dragon Endurance atop a Falcon 9 rocket when the decision came. The culprit? A hydraulics issue with the transporter-erector, specifically a clamp arm that connects the rocket to the launch tower.

This wasn’t a sudden surprise. Reports indicate the problem surfaced about four hours before the planned launch, with SpaceX engineers working diligently to resolve it. Despite their efforts, the teams prioritized safety over schedule, a hallmark of human spaceflight operations. NASA announced late that night that the next launch attempt is now targeted for Friday, March 14, at 7:03 p.m. EDT (Saturday, March 15, 00:03 UTC). This quick turnaround suggests confidence that the issue is manageable, though NASA and SpaceX have yet to confirm the exact nature of the fix or provide a detailed timeline beyond this tentative date.

Why Crew-10 Matters: A Rescue Mission in Disguise

Crew-10 is more than just another crew rotation to the International Space Station (ISS). It’s the tenth operational mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program with SpaceX, but it’s garnered extra attention because it’s the key to bringing NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth. These two veterans have been aboard the ISS since June 2024, when they launched on Boeing’s Starliner for what was supposed to be an 8-10 day test flight. Technical issues with Starliner’s propulsion system forced NASA to send the spacecraft back uncrewed in September, leaving Williams and Wilmore in orbit for an unplanned nine-month stay.

The Crew-10 launch will trigger a handover process. Once McClain, Ayers, Onishi, and Peskov dock at the ISS (targeted for around 6:00 a.m. EDT on March 15 if the Friday launch holds), they’ll join the current Crew-9 team—Williams, Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov. After a days-long transition period where Crew-9 briefs Crew-10 on ongoing experiments and station operations, Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov will board the Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft and return to Earth, potentially as early as March 19. This extended mission has tested NASA’s adaptability and SpaceX’s reliability, spotlighting the interplay between competing spacecraft programs and international cooperation.

The Technical Hitch: What Went Wrong?

The hydraulics issue that halted the March 12 launch centers on the transporter-erector, a massive structure that moves the Falcon 9 to the pad and supports it upright. Specifically, a clamp arm—part of the system that stabilizes the rocket and provides umbilical connections—experienced a malfunction. Hydraulics are critical for controlling these components, and any failure risks compromising the rocket’s stability or the crew’s safety during ascent. SpaceX’s decision to scrub reflects a cautious approach, especially given the mission’s high stakes.

This isn’t the first hiccup for Crew-10. Originally slated for February, the launch was delayed to late March to allow SpaceX to prepare a new Crew Dragon capsule. In December, NASA shifted gears, opting to use the previously flown Dragon Endurance instead, accelerating the timeline by about two weeks—a move reportedly influenced by pressure from President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite Williams and Wilmore’s return. The hydraulics issue, while frustrating, underscores the complexity of human spaceflight, where even ground systems must perform flawlessly.

The Crew and Their Mission

The Crew-10 team brings a mix of experience and international collaboration to the ISS:

Anne McClain (Commander): A seasoned NASA astronaut with prior ISS experience, McClain leads with a calm professionalism evident in her post-scrub comment: “Great working with you today, the whole team.”

Nichole Ayers (Pilot): A newer face in NASA’s astronaut corps, Ayers is piloting her first spaceflight, showcasing the agency’s investment in fresh talent.

Takuya Onishi (Mission Specialist): Representing JAXA, Onishi brings expertise from his 2016 ISS stint, reinforcing Japan’s role in global space efforts.

Kirill Peskov (Mission Specialist): A Roscosmos cosmonaut, Peskov exemplifies the enduring U.S.-Russia partnership in space despite terrestrial tensions.

Once aboard the ISS, they’ll spend six months conducting over 200 experiments, ranging from materials science to human physiology studies. One crew member will lead a project examining how space affects the body and mind—a nod to the real-time lessons learned from Williams and Wilmore’s extended stay.

What’s Next?

As of now, all eyes are on Friday’s launch window. Weather forecasts have been favorable, and SpaceX has confirmed that the Falcon 9 and Dragon systems themselves are in good shape—meaning the focus is on resolving the ground-based hydraulics glitch. If successful, docking will occur early Saturday, kicking off the crew swap. NASA’s live coverage will resume, and the agency has invited questions via #AskNASA, promising to address some during the stream.

However, this mission’s saga prompts broader reflection. The Starliner debacle has spotlighted Boeing’s struggles in the commercial crew arena, contrasting with SpaceX’s consistent delivery (this will be Dragon Endurance’s fourth crewed flight). Meanwhile, the political nudge from Trump and Musk raises questions about how external pressures shape NASA’s traditionally methodical pace. Safety remains paramount, but the push to bring Williams and Wilmore home sooner rather than later adds an intriguing layer to this narrative.

Final Thoughts

Crew-10 is a testament to the resilience and precision required in space exploration. A scrubbed launch is disappointing but not unexpected—spaceflight is unforgiving, and every delay is a step toward ensuring success. For Williams and Wilmore, it’s a few more days in orbit; for the Crew-10 team, it’s a chance to regroup and retry. And for us on Earth, it’s a reminder of the intricate dance between technology, teamwork, and the vast unknown.

Stay tuned for updates as NASA and SpaceX gear up for Friday. Will the hydraulics hold? Will the handover go smoothly? The answers are just a launch away.