Rahul Somvanshi
A crucial SpaceX launch scheduled to ferry four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) and bring home two NASA astronauts stranded in space for nine months has been delayed due to technical issues and poor weather conditions.
The Crew-10 mission, now targeting March 14, 2025, at 7:03 PM EDT from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, faced setbacks when engineers discovered problems with a hydraulic system in the Falcon 9 rocket’s ground support clamp arm. High winds and precipitation in the rocket’s flight path added to the complications.
“Launch teams are working to address a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A,” NASA stated in their official press release.
This mission carries extra significance as it’s tasked with facilitating the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The pair have been stuck aboard the ISS since June 2024 – far beyond their planned eight-day mission – after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft experienced critical malfunctions.
The four astronauts slated for the Crew-10 mission – NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov – remained in Astronaut Crew Quarters at Kennedy Space Center while engineers worked to resolve the issues.
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Once launched, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS around 11:30 PM on Saturday, March 15. If successful, Williams and Wilmore could return to Earth as early as March 19, weather permitting at the splashdown locations off Florida’s coast.
This marks SpaceX’s 10th official crew rotation mission and its 11th human spaceflight to the ISS as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The unexpected extension of Williams and Wilmore’s stay highlights both the resilience of astronauts and the risks involved in space travel. Their original mission was meant to test Boeing’s Starliner, but technical failures forced NASA to order the capsule to return empty, transferring the astronauts to SpaceX for their journey home.
NASA has emphasized throughout this process that astronaut safety remains its top priority, even as Elon Musk has hinted at potential political factors influencing the delayed return.
The mission underscores the growing role of private companies in space exploration, with SpaceX’s reusable spacecraft technology proving crucial for maintaining access to the ISS. During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore have continued scientific research, contributing to the approximately 200 experiments planned during this mission rotation.
NASA will begin launch coverage at 3 PM on March 14 on NASA+, providing updates as the mission progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stuck aboard the ISS since June 2024 due to technical malfunctions with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. They were originally part of an eight-day test mission for the Starliner, but NASA decided the spacecraft was unsafe for their return and ordered it to come back empty. Their return to Earth now depends on the successful launch and docking of SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission.
The Crew-10 mission is now scheduled to launch on March 14, 2025, at 7:03 PM EDT from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch was delayed from its earlier date due to a hydraulic system issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s ground support clamp arm and unfavorable weather conditions including high winds and precipitation in the flight path.
The Crew-10 mission includes four astronauts: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. This diverse team represents international collaboration in space exploration between the United States, Japan, and Russia.
The launch was delayed due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A. This clamp arm is critical as it needs to release and tilt back right before liftoff. Engineers needed additional time to evaluate and address this issue to ensure a safe launch.
If the Crew-10 mission launches successfully on March 14, Williams and Wilmore could return to Earth as early as Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Their return depends on weather conditions at the splashdown locations off the coast of Florida. They will return on the Crew-9 mission spacecraft, which is currently docked at the ISS.
The Crew-10 mission is significant for several reasons: it marks SpaceX’s 10th official crew rotation for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, it facilitates the return of two astronauts stranded in space for nine months, and it continues the vital scientific research aboard the ISS. The mission also highlights the reliability of SpaceX’s spacecraft while Boeing’s Starliner faced issues, showcasing the growing importance of private companies in space exploration.
