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NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Set for Launch
Four astronauts are set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission. The crew will conduct a variety of research, technology demonstrations, and maintenance tasks aboard the unique microgravity environment that the ISS offers.
The team includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos. They will take off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center located in Florida.
This mission marks the tenth crew rotation with SpaceX to the ISS and is part of the 11th human spaceflight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
As preparations for the Crew-10 mission continue, teams are simultaneously working on milestones for the Dragon spacecraft, along with a second-flight Falcon 9 booster. After thorough checks and certifications of all rocket and spacecraft systems, the Dragon will be integrated with the Falcon 9. Once united, the combined spacecraft will be transported to the launch pad for essential testing procedures, including a dry dress rehearsal and a static fire test.
Profiles of the Crew
Colonel Anne McClain, selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, will embark on her second spaceflight with this mission. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, McClain has a rich educational background in Mechanical Engineering and holds multiple master’s degrees, including Aerospace Engineering. Her previous experience includes over 2,300 flight hours in various aircraft, along with notable achievements in rugby. During her first mission, she logged 204 days in space and completed two spacewalks totaling over 13 hours. McClain remains active in the astronaut community, sharing her journey on social media platforms such as @astroannimal on X and @astro_annimal on Instagram.
Major Nichole Ayers is making her inaugural journey to space as part of Crew-10. Chosen as a NASA astronaut in 2021, she is also the first member of this astronaut class assigned to a flight. With her educational roots stemming from the Air Force Academy, Ayers has practical experience as an instructor pilot and mission commander for high-performance aircraft. With over 1,400 flight hours to her name, she is also known for her involvement in sports during her academic career. Follow her journey on social media via @astro_ayers on X and @astro_ayers on Instagram.
Takuya Onishi, representing JAXA, returns to the ISS with a wealth of experience. This mission will be his second, following a successful stint as a flight engineer for Expeditions 48 and 49. Onishi has played a significant role in robotic operations on the ISS and became a certified flight director post-flight. His vast experience includes over 3,700 flight hours as a commercial pilot. Keep up with Onishi’s updates on social media at astro_onishi on X.
Kiril Peskov, a new cosmonaut selected in 2018, is embarking on his first spaceflight. Prior to joining the cosmonaut program, Peskov gained experience as a co-pilot for commercial airlines and has undergone various training programs to prepare for today’s mission.
Mission Objectives and Activities
Upon launch, the Falcon 9 rocket is expected to propel the Dragon spacecraft to speeds of around 17,500 mph as it heads into orbit. Following this, the crew will engage in a series of maneuvers to facilitate the automated docking of Dragon with the ISS via the Harmony module’s forward-facing port. While the spacecraft is built for autonomous docking, manual control remains an option should it become necessary.
Once aboard the ISS, Crew-10 will engage in a brief handover with the Expedition 72 crew, who will provide insight on current scientific and maintenance activities before returning to Earth. The transition period is crucial as it helps ensure continuity aboard the station. This includes assessing weather conditions on landing sites prior to their return journey.
The Crew-10 team will conduct various scientific initiatives designed to advance preparations for future exploration efforts beyond low Earth orbit. This includes experiments on material flammability related to spacecraft design, educational outreach via ham radio, and studies aimed at understanding health impacts on astronauts during extended missions. These efforts are part of over 200 scientific experiments planned throughout their time on the ISS.
Additionally, the Crew-10 mission will see the arrival and interaction with other spacecraft, including the anticipated docking of a Soyuz spacecraft carrying new crew members and a farewell to the crew on a returning Soyuz. The mission will also involve receiving resupply vehicles including SpaceX Dragon, Roscosmos Progress, and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus, facilitating ongoing research aboard the ISS.
The astronauts will be traveling aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Endurance, which has previously supported multiple missions, reinforcing NASA’s partnership with SpaceX in advancing commercial spaceflight.
Nasa’s commercial crew missions are vital for optimizing the utilization of the ISS, which has been continuously staffed for more than 24 years. Research conducted in this environment is crucial for developing technologies and skills for not only upcoming commercial ventures in low Earth orbit but also for fields of exploration beyond, laying the groundwork for future initiatives such as NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.
For further information on the ISS and its ongoing research efforts, please visit: NASA’s ISS Page.
Source
www.nasa.gov