NASA has launched the Crew-10 mission to reboost the International Space Station, clearing the way for Boeing Starliner astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams to be ferried home next week. The mission successfully lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39 at 7:03 p.m. EDT, with Commander Anne McClain, Pilot Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov on board.
The Crew Dragon capsule was released from the Falcon 9 rocket’s upper stage after a dramatic first-stage landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, paving the way for its autonomous rendezvous with the space station. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS Saturday night and spend about five months in orbit before returning home.
The successful launch marks a significant milestone for NASA’s commercial crew program, which oversees SpaceX Crew Dragons and Boeing’s Starliner. Starliner astronauts Wilmore and Williams were initially launched on June 5 for the spacecraft’s first piloted test flight but experienced multiple issues during their six-month mission.
Despite initial concerns, the pair has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, saying they are not “stranded” or “abandoned” in space. The current plan ensures that research can continue uninterrupted, with additional personnel available to address any emergencies.
This mission is a testament to NASA’s commitment to space exploration and its ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges. As the Crew-10 spacecraft prepares for its arrival at the ISS, the nation eagerly awaits their successful return home.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nasa-spacex-try-again-to-launch-starliner-astronauts-replacement-crew