NASA Rescue Crew Prepares to Relieve Stranded Astronauts in Critical Swap Mission
NASA’s Stranded Astronauts Near Return as SpaceX Crew-10 Prepares Launch
(Approx. 600 words)
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, are finally set to return home next week—provided SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission launches as planned. The four-member replacement crew, including NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kirill Peskov, recently completed a critical dry-run rehearsal ahead of their Wednesday lift-off.
[Image: NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers (left) and Anne McClain (right) give a thumbs-up inside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule during their rehearsal. Caption: Crew-10 astronauts rehearsed launch procedures ahead of their March 13 mission.]
Launch Plans and Handover
Crew-10 is scheduled to launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center at 7:48 p.m. ET on March 12. If successful, their Dragon capsule will dock with the ISS around 10 a.m. ET on March 13. Williams and Wilmore, along with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov, will then depart on March 16. Their return will conclude a 284-day stay for Williams and Wilmore, far longer than their original eight-day mission.
The delay stems from technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which developed thruster issues and helium leaks shortly after launching the duo in June 2024. NASA eventually ordered the uncrewed Starliner to return in September, leaving Williams and Wilmore reliant on a later rescue mission.
[Image: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore inside the ISS. Caption: Williams and Wilmore have awaited rescue for nine months after Starliner’s malfunction.]
Successful Rehearsal and SpaceX’s Role
During Sunday’s rehearsal, Crew-10 donned SpaceX spacesuits, conducted leak checks, and boarded the Dragon capsule for a launch simulation. SpaceX also tested its Falcon 9 rocket, completing a static fire trial. NASA confirmed the team is “ready to high-five them [Williams and Wilmore] and bring them home,” according to mission commander McClain.
[Image: A Falcon 9 rocket during a static fire test. Caption: SpaceX tested the Falcon 9 ahead of Crew-10’s launch.]
Shortened Handover Amid Tight Timelines
Typically, ISS crews overlap for five days to ensure smooth transitions. NASA shortened this to two days to conserve station resources and maximize return opportunities amid potential weather delays. Crew-10 will spend six months aboard the ISS, continuing research started by earlier teams.
Political Controversy
The astronauts’ extended stay recently drew political attention. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump claimed the Biden administration delayed their return to avoid giving Trump credit before the 2024 election. Musk alleged NASA rejected his rescue offers to prevent “making Trump look good,” though the agency has repeatedly cited safety protocols.
Looking Ahead
Backup launch windows are set for March 13 and 14 if weather or technical issues arise. Once home, Williams and Wilmore’s mission will mark a key milestone for NASA’s commercial crew program, which now leans heavily on SpaceX amid Boeing’s ongoing Starliner setbacks.
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