NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Set for March 14 Launch

NASA and SpaceX are on track to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) at 7:03 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 14. Following a thorough inspection, SpaceX ground teams successfully resolved a hydraulic issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s clamp arm, which led to the previous launch attempt being scrubbed on March 12.

Figure 1. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Ready for Liftoff.

Weather conditions on Florida’s Space Coast are highly favorable, with a greater-than-95% chance of acceptable conditions at liftoff. While the outlook remains positive for Crew-10’s ascent aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, weather risks increase later in the weekend, with a 50% chance of violations on March 15 and 60% on March 16. Figure 1 shows NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Ready for Liftoff.

Strong Teamwork and Problem-Solving

“I am extremely proud of our NASA and SpaceX ground engineers and joint operations teams for their swift identification and resolution of this issue,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at Kennedy Space Center. “Their systematic approach throughout the countdown—analyzing data and making thoughtful decisions—ensured the integrity of our mission. Their commitment to excellence and safety is a testament to the strength of this integrated team.”

Aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov will journey to the International Space Station atop a Falcon 9 rocket. As part of the Expedition 72/73 crew, they will support regular crew rotation operations and conduct dozens of scientific experiments during their several-month stay in orbit.

Arrival, Docking, and Crew Rotation

Crew-10 is set to dock with the International Space Station at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. After arriving, the crew will spend a few days familiarizing themselves with the station’s systems before transitioning roles with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 team. Crew-9 consists of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Once the handover is complete, Crew-9 will depart aboard their Dragon spacecraft, with undocking scheduled no earlier than Wednesday, March 19.

This marks NASA’s 10th crew rotation mission using SpaceX’s human spaceflight system and the 11th overall flight with crew aboard, including the Demo-2 test mission, under the Commercial Crew Program.

Mission Overview

NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on March 14 at 7:03 p.m. EDT. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which partners with private companies to ensure safe and reliable human spaceflight. Aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, four crew members from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos will embark on a months-long stay in orbit, conducting scientific experiments and station operations.

Resolving Technical Challenges

The original launch attempt on March 12 was postponed due to a hydraulic issue with the Falcon 9 rocket’s ground support clamp arm. SpaceX engineers quickly identified and removed a suspected air pocket from the system, ensuring the rocket is ready for launch. NASA and SpaceX emphasized a thorough and systematic approach, prioritizing safety and mission integrity.

The Crew and Their Mission

Crew-10 consists of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Once aboard the ISS, they will join the Expedition 72/73 crew, replacing Crew-9 members who have completed their rotation. Their mission includes scientific research, technology testing, and maintaining station operations.

Launch and Docking Plans

Liftoff is scheduled from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with live coverage beginning at 3 p.m. on NASA+. Weather conditions are highly favorable for launch, with a greater-than-95% chance of acceptable conditions. Docking with the ISS is expected around 11:30 p.m. on March 15, followed by a transition period as Crew-10 gets acclimated to the station.

Crew Rotation and Return

Crew-9, consisting of NASA’s Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will prepare to return to Earth. Their undocking is scheduled for no earlier than March 19. This marks the 10th crew rotation mission using SpaceX’s human spaceflight system and highlights ongoing collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners in maintaining a continuous human presence in space.

Source: SciTECHDaily

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),"NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Prepared for Launch", AnaTechMaz, pp. 270