Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set to launch the highly anticipated Crew-10 mission, a critical step in ensuring the return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Barry “Butch” Wilmore after an unexpectedly extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally, Williams and Wilmore were expected to stay for just eight days following their launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in 2024. However, technical failures with the Starliner delayed their return for over eight months.
Now, with the Crew-10 mission scheduled for March 12, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX aims to send a new team of astronauts to the ISS, allowing Williams and Wilmore to finally return home. Their prolonged stay has garnered political attention, with claims and counterclaims about the reasons behind their delay. However, NASA officials have assured that safety, rather than politics, dictated their extended mission.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore return to Earth: Crew-10 mission overview
Launch details
- Launch Date: March 12, 2025
- Time: 23:48 UTC (7:48 PM EDT)
- Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5
- Spacecraft: Crew Dragon “Endurance”
The Crew Dragon “Endurance” has successfully flown on previous missions such as Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 and will now embark on another mission to transport four astronauts to the ISS.
Crew-10 astronauts
The Crew-10 team consists of four astronauts representing NASA, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Roscosmos:
- Anne McClain (NASA): Mission Commander, second spaceflight.
- Nichole Ayers (NASA): Pilot, first spaceflight.
- Takuya Onishi (JAXA): Mission Specialist, second spaceflight.
- Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos): Mission Specialist, first spaceflight.
Upon arrival at the ISS, Crew-10 will replace the current team and participate in scientific experiments, maintenance work, and preparations for future missions.
Sunita Williams’extended stay in space
Mission background
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were originally part of Boeing’s Starliner crew, launched in June 2024 for a brief eight-day mission. However, the Starliner spacecraft encountered multiple technical failures, including:
- Thruster malfunctions
- Valve failures
- Propellant leaks
These issues made the spacecraft unsafe for re-entry, forcing NASA to delay their return indefinitely while troubleshooting continued. Williams and Wilmore have now been on the ISS for over eight months, far beyond their planned mission duration.
Why SpaceX is bringing Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back
With Boeing’s Starliner still grounded due to ongoing safety concerns, NASA made the decision to return Williams and Wilmore on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft instead. This decision highlights:
- NASA’s commitment to astronaut safety
- The reliability of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for crew transport
- Operational flexibility in the Commercial Crew Program
NASA confirmed that Williams and Wilmore are expected to return between March 19 and 20, 2025, aboard Crew Dragon once the Crew-10 team has settled in on the ISS.
Political controversy surrounding Williams and Wilmore’s return delay
The extended stay of Williams and Wilmore has sparked political debates in the U.S.
- Former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration, alleging that it intentionally delayed their return.
- Elon Musk claimed that his offer to bring the astronauts home earlier was rejected for political reasons.
- Williams and Wilmore denied these allegations, stating that their extended mission was purely due to technical issues with the Starliner.
NASA officials also emphasized that decisions regarding astronaut safety are based on engineering and safety assessments, not political influence.
What happens next
Crew-10’s arrival and handover
- The Crew-10 team will replace the existing crew currently stationed at the ISS.
- Once the new team is settled, Williams and Wilmore will board Crew Dragon for their long-awaited return.
Williams and Wilmore’s return to Earth
- Expected return date: March 19-20, 2025
- Return vehicle: SpaceX Crew Dragon
- Landing site: Near Florida’s coast
Upon their return, NASA will debrief the astronauts, conduct medical evaluations, and analyze the effects of their unexpectedly prolonged stay in microgravity.
