SpaceX launches Crew-10 mission, ensures return of stranded astronauts

On Friday, SpaceX successfully launched its Crew-10 mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, paving the way for the long-awaited return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 7:03 PM EDT, carrying a crew consisting of NASA's Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Following a two-day delay due to a hydraulic issue, the spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock with the ISS approximately 28.5 hours after launch. Upon arrival, the Crew-10 team will replace Williams and Wilmore, who have been on an extended stay due to problems with Boeing's Starliner. NASA officials expressed mixed emotions for the returning astronauts, who are eager to return to Earth yet will miss their colleagues aboard the ISS. The launch highlights the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX in advancing human spaceflight.