NASA and SpaceX Launch Crew-10 Mission to Rescue Astronauts Stranded on the International Space Station
NASA and SpaceX Launch Crew-10 Mission to Rescue Astronauts Stranded on the International Space Station
NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, has launched a rocket carrying the Crew-10 mission, aimed at bringing back the stranded American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams to Earth after they were stuck on the International Space Station for nine months due to a technical malfunction.
The two astronauts were the first to test Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which transported them to the International Space Station. However, technical issues in the propulsion system during the flight forced NASA to extend their stay, initially planned to last only eight days. Due to high risks, the spacecraft returned to Earth unmanned.
In a new mission, NASA launched a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft with a crew consisting of:
– NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Aunapu Mann,
– JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) President Takuya Onishi,
– Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.
The Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station late Saturday, according to NASA.
After the new spacecraft arrives, NASA will facilitate the return of another crew, including NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Williams, and Wilmore, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. The departure from the International Space Station is scheduled no earlier than March 19.
