We Are Go for Launch!

View of Falcon rocket sitting on launch pad. Photo credit: Maximilian Kent

Under a clear Florida sky, a column of fire and smoke signaled the start of a new mission to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA and SpaceX's Crew-10 mission roared to life at 7:03 p.m. EDT on March 14, 2025, launching four astronauts into orbit aboard the Crew Dragon Endurance. This mission is more than just another flight, it ensures the continued human presence in space, supports critical scientific research, and seamlessly hands over operations from Crew-9, which has spent the past six months aboard the ISS.

Originally scheduled to launch on March 12, 2025, the mission was scrubbed due to a hydrogen leak detected in the Falcon 9 rocket’s quick-disconnect umbilical connection, also known as the "clamp." This component is crucial for supplying fuel and other resources to the rocket while on the launch pad. The leak was identified during final system checks, leading engineers to halt the countdown for safety reasons. The SpaceX team promptly inspected the umbilical connection, replaced faulty seals, and conducted additional pressurization tests to verify the integrity of the system before successfully launching on March 14.

View of countdown timer and Falcon rocket. Photo credit: Maximilian Kent

Aboard Endurance, the four-person team includes Commander Anne McClain (NASA), Pilot Nichole Ayers (NASA), Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi (JAXA), and Mission Specialist Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos). Together, they bring a wealth of experience from previous spaceflights, aeronautical engineering, and international collaboration, ensuring the success of their six-month mission aboard the ISS.

This mission marks the tenth operational flight of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and the 11th crewed flight of the Dragon spacecraft. The Crew-10 team is set to replace Crew-9, which has been stationed at the ISS since June 2024.

After a smooth launch and a 28-hour journey, Endurance docked with the ISS on March 16 at 12:04 a.m. EDT. The Crew-10 astronauts will remain aboard the station for approximately six months, conducting critical scientific research, maintenance operations, and technology demonstrations to support long-term space exploration.

The launch was carried out on a Falcon 9 rocket, which successfully completed its mission before landing back at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral. This continues SpaceX’s ongoing success with booster reusability, furthering cost-effective space travel.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised the mission, stating, “Crew-10 represents another milestone in our ongoing commitment to space exploration. These astronauts will continue groundbreaking research that will benefit humanity both on Earth and beyond.”

American flag above the logo flag of Crew 10. Photo credit: Maximilian Kent

With Crew-10 safely aboard the ISS, their work will contribute to advancing NASA’s Artemis program, deep-space exploration initiatives, and future missions to the Moon and Mars.