Sunita Williams’ Homecoming: NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission Likely to Lift Off Tomorrow | Timing And Other Details Here

Sunita Williams’ Homecoming: After multiple delays, NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the Crew-10 mission on Saturday, which will not only send four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) but also bring back NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded in space for over eight months due to critical failures in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.  

When is the Crew-10 launch?  

The Crew-10 mission is scheduled for 7:03 pm EDT (Saturday, 4:33 am IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission will be carried out aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.  

Where to Watch the Crew-10 Launch Live

Space enthusiasts can watch the Crew-10 launch live through multiple platforms provided by NASA and SpaceX:  

NASA+ (official streaming platform) 

NASA’s official YouTube channel ([NASA YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/NASA))  

NASA’s X (Twitter) handle ([NASA X](https://twitter.com/NASA))  

NASA will provide real-time coverage of the launch, including live commentary and mission updates.  

What is the Crew-10 Mission?

The Crew-10 mission will transport four astronauts from NASA, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Roscosmos to the ISS for a six-month mission focused on scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space exploration experiments.  

Crew-10 Astronauts:

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)  

The Crew-10 objectives include:  

Conducting over 200 scientific experiments related to deep space exploration.  

Testing flammability of materials in microgravity for future spacecraft safety.  

Engaging in educational outreach programs with students via ham radio.  

Studying physiological and psychological changes in astronauts for future Moon and Mars missions.  

Why Are Williams and Wilmore Stranded in Space?

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were originally part of Boeing’s Starliner mission, launched in June 2024 for an eight-day mission. However, due to propulsion leaks and thruster malfunctions, their return was repeatedly delayed. NASA deemed Starliner unsafe for re-entry, forcing Williams and Wilmore to remain aboard the ISS for over eight months.  

With the Crew-10 mission, NASA and SpaceX aim to finally bring them home after extensive delays, sparking discussions on both political interference and engineering failures in Boeing’s Starliner program.  

Crew-10's Journey to the ISS  

Once launched, the Falcon 9 rocket will accelerate the Dragon "Endurance" spacecraft to 17,500 mph, reaching orbit in minutes. The spacecraft will then autonomously dock with the ISS Harmony module 24 hours after launch. If needed, the crew can manually pilot the spacecraft.  

Upon arrival, Crew-10 will:  

Replace Crew-9 astronauts, who will return to Earth.  

Conduct critical research and space experiments.  

Welcome new crew members aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.  

Prepare for upcoming cargo spacecraft arrivals from SpaceX, Roscosmos, and Northrop Grumman.  

Sunita Williams Won't be Back on Earth Before March 19

Once Crew-10 reaches the ISS, NASA will assess weather conditions before authorizing the return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth. If all goes as planned, their long-awaited journey home will begin within days.  

Sunita and her crew will return to the Earth no earlier than March 19, the agency said.

“I am extremely proud of our NASA and SpaceX ground engineers and joint operations teams in quickly identifying and resolving issues. Their commitment to both excellence and safety is a true testament to the strength of this integrated team,” NASA’s Steve Stich, manager of the Commercial Crew Program said