A New Chapter for the International Space Station: Crew 10 Arrives in Style

A Seamless Docking and a Warm Welcome

The Crew 10 mission marked a historic milestone as the SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) in the early hours of Sunday, March 17, 2025. Launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Friday evening, the capsule carried four eager astronauts on a journey that culminated in a textbook docking at the Harmony module’s forward port at 12:04 a.m. EDT. The Crew Dragon approached the ISS from behind and below, navigating a complex path that included passing 1,300 feet under the station before looping up to a point 720 feet ahead. From there, it glided smoothly into position, marking the beginning of a new era for the space station’s crew.

The docking process was nothing short of precise, with motorized latches securing the capsule in place to create an airtight seal. After conducting routine leak checks and connecting the necessary umbilicals, the hatch was opened at 1:35 a.m., allowing the crew to float into the ISS. The astronauts were greeted with warm smiles and open arms by the outgoing crew, who were eager to begin the handover process.

A Crew of Trailblazers

Leading the Crew 10 mission was Commander Anne McClain, an Army colonel and former combat helicopter pilot, who expressed the crew’s immense joy upon seeing the ISS for the first time. “I cannot tell you the immense joy of our crew when we looked out the window and we saw the space station for the first time,” she shared with flight controllers. McClain’s excitement was echoed by her co-pilot, Nichole Ayers, an Air Force major and F-22 Raptor pilot, who described the journey as “one of the coolest things I’ve ever done” and expressed her eagerness to get to work.

The Crew 10 team also included Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, both veteran commercial airline pilots. Together, they brought a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the ISS. Their arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter for the space station, as they prepared to take over duties from the outgoing Crew 9 members.

The Starliner Astronauts’ Extended Stay

The arrival of Crew 10 also paved the way for the Starliner astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, to return to Earth after an extended stay of nearly 300 days in space. Originally launched on June 5, 2024, as part of the first piloted test flight of Boeing’s Starliner, their mission was intended to last just eight days. However, propulsion system issues during rendezvous with the ISS led NASA to extend their stay, ruling out a return on the Starliner spacecraft. Instead, Wilmore and Williams joined Crew 9, becoming part of a six-month tour of duty aboard the ISS.

Their prolonged stay was far from uneventful. Wilmore and Williams played a crucial role in the station’s operations, contributing to scientific research and maintaining the outpost’s systems. Now, with Crew 10 on board, they are assisting with the transition, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities before their scheduled departure next week.

A Homecoming for Starliner Astronauts

The Starliner astronauts are set to return to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, with a splashdown targeted in the Gulf of Mexico near the coast of Florida. NASA announced the updated return plan on Sunday, citing favorable weather conditions and the need to provide operational flexibility ahead of less-than-ideal weather later in the week. The return journey is scheduled to begin with undocking at 1:05 a.m. ET, followed by a splashdown at around 6 p.m.

Upon landing, Wilmore and Williams will have spent 286 days in space, a remarkable feat that highlights the resilience and adaptability of astronauts on long-duration missions. While this duration is impressive, it falls short of the U.S. record of 371 days set by astronaut Frank Rubio in 2022-23. Rubio’s record was the result of an unexpected coolant leak in his Soyuz spacecraft, which forced him to spend over a year in space—twice as long as originally planned.

Setting New Records and Celebrating Milestones

The Crew 10 mission is not just about the arrival of fresh faces; it also marks a significant milestone for Sunita Williams, who is poised to become the second most experienced U.S. astronaut in terms of time spent in space. With a career spanning multiple missions, Williams will have accumulated around 570 days in space, surpassing many of her peers. Only Peggy Whitson, who spent 675 days in space over four flights, has more time aloft among U.S. astronauts. Williams’ incredible journey is a testament to her dedication to space exploration and her role as a trailblazer for future generations of astronauts.

The Crew 10 mission is a reminder of the incredible advancements being made in space travel and the importance of international collaboration in achieving these feats. As the ISS continues to serve as a hub for scientific discovery and innovation, the arrival of Crew 10 and the return of the Starliner astronauts highlight the ever-changing nature of life in space. From the precision of the docking process to the personal stories of the astronauts, this mission is a celebration of human achievement and the boundless possibilities of space exploration.