NASA has launched the 10th crew rotation mission with SpaceX to the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone in the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. The four-member crew, consisting of Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov, is preparing for their journey aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
The crew will embark on a 113-day mission to conduct research, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities aboard the microgravity laboratory. As part of this mission, they will engage in material flammability tests for future spacecraft designs, participate in an integrated study to better understand physiological and psychological changes, and test a backup lunar navigation solution.
This marks the first spaceflight for Ayers and Peskov, while Onishi returns to the station for his second trip. McClain, who has spent 204 days in space previously, will oversee the mission’s scientific research.
Upon arrival at the space station, the crew will participate in a short handover period with the departing Crew-9 crew members and welcome three new crew members, including Jonny Kim, aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. The crew will also conduct various experiments, including those related to space exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, previously flew NASA’s Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 missions. Commercial crew missions enable NASA to maximize use of the space station, testing technologies, performing research, and developing skills needed for future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit.
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Source: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-10-mission