SpaceX and NASA had big plans to launch the Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, but a last-minute hydraulic issue threw a wrench into the works. This mission isn’t just another routine trip—it’s a critical rescue operation to bring home NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who’ve been stuck in space for nine months.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a heartfelt message of support just hours before the scrubbed launch, wishing the crew “Godspeed” and highlighting the U.S. military’s significant role in this effort. Let’s dive into what’s happening, why it matters, and what’s next for this high-stakes mission.
A Rescue Mission Nine Months in the Making
Imagine signing up for a week-long trip and ending up stuck for nine months—that’s the reality for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The duo launched to the ISS in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, expecting a short test mission. But things didn’t go as planned.
The Starliner ran into serious technical issues, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, forcing NASA to make the tough call to bring the spacecraft back to Earth without its crew in September 2024. Since then, Wilmore and Williams have been living aboard the ISS, patiently awaiting their ride home.
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Enter SpaceX. The Crew-10 mission, powered by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, was set to launch from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:48 p.m. EDT. The goal? To send a fresh crew of four to the ISS for a six-month stay and, most importantly, to bring Wilmore and Williams back to Earth after a brief handover period. But just when it seemed like their long wait was over, Mother Nature and technology had other plans.
Why the Launch Was Scrubbed
Wednesday night was supposed to be the big moment, but NASA and SpaceX hit the pause button due to a hydraulic issue with a clamp arm on the launch tower. This isn’t just a minor hiccup—hydraulic systems are critical for ensuring the rocket and spacecraft are securely positioned and ready for liftoff. Safety is the top priority, and mission managers weren’t taking any chances.
To make matters worse, they waved off a backup launch attempt on Thursday due to forecasted high winds and rain along the Dragon’s flight path. For now, the crew remains inside the spacecraft, waiting for the “egress” team to safely remove them once conditions improve. The next launch window opens no earlier than Friday, March 14, at 7:03 p.m. EDT, but the teams are keeping a close eye on weather and technical updates before setting a firm date.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Message of Support
Hours before the scrubbed launch, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared an inspiring message for the Crew-10 team. In a video posted to X, he said, “I just want to take a brief moment to say we are praying for you. We wish you Godspeed, and we look forward to welcoming you all home soon.” Hegseth highlighted the unique collaboration between the U.S. military and this mission, noting, “This is Army, Air Force, and Navy tonight.”
The Crew-10 team includes two active-duty U.S. military officers: U.S. Army Colonel Anne McClain, serving as commander, and U.S. Air Force Major Nichole Ayers, the pilot. Alongside them are Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi from Japan and Kirill Peskov from Russia, showcasing the international partnership that defines the ISS program. Hegseth also gave a nod to Wilmore and Williams, both retired U.S. Navy captains, emphasizing the military’s pride in their service and resilience.
The Crew-10 Team: Who’s Heading to the ISS?
The SpaceX Crew-10 mission is a diverse and talented group tasked with both maintaining the ISS and bringing Wilmore and Williams home. Here’s a quick look at the crew:
- Anne McClain (Commander, NASA): A U.S. Army Colonel with extensive experience in spaceflight.
- Nichole Ayers (Pilot, NASA): A U.S. Air Force Major making her mark in this critical mission.
- Takuya Onishi (Mission Specialist, JAXA): Representing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency with expertise in space operations.
- Kirill Peskov (Mission Specialist, Roscosmos): A Russian cosmonaut rounding out this international team.
Once they reach the ISS, they’ll spend six months conducting experiments, performing maintenance, and preparing for the handover with Wilmore and Williams. The stranded astronauts could be back on Earth as early as Sunday, March 16, if the Friday launch goes off without a hitch.
Trump and Musk Step Into the Spotlight
This mission has also caught the attention of President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who’ve been vocal about getting Wilmore and Williams home ASAP. Trump reportedly told Musk, “Get the astronauts home and do it now,” a sentiment Hegseth echoed in his remarks. Trump even shared a personal message with the astronauts last week, telling Fox News’ Peter Doocy, “Elon is right now preparing a ship to go up and get them. We love you, and we’re coming up to get you, and you shouldn’t have been up there so long.” He’s also jokingly floated the idea of joining the rescue mission himself!
Musk, meanwhile, has been unequivocal in his commitment. Speaking to FOX Business’ Larry Kudlow, he said, “We’re gonna get ‘em back.” Trump has repeatedly criticized former President Joe Biden, claiming he “abandoned” the astronauts in space—a narrative NASA has pushed back against, emphasizing that the delays were due to safety concerns with Boeing’s Starliner, not political decisions.
What’s Next for Crew-10 and the Stranded Astronauts?
For now, all eyes are on Friday’s launch window. NASA and SpaceX are working around the clock to resolve the hydraulic issue and monitor weather conditions to ensure a safe liftoff. Once Crew-10 reaches the ISS, there’ll be a short handover period—likely a few days—before Wilmore and Williams join the team for the journey back to Earth aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
Wilmore and Williams have taken their extended stay in stride, with NASA noting they’re “not fretting” over the delay and are “grateful” for the extra time to contribute to science and station operations. Still, after nine months away from home, the prospect of finally returning must feel like a light at the end of the tunnel.
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Why This Mission Matters
The Crew-10 mission is more than just a rescue operation—it’s a testament to collaboration, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of safety in space exploration. It highlights the strength of the NASA-SpaceX partnership, the critical role of international cooperation, and the U.S. military’s contributions to advancing human spaceflight. For Wilmore and Williams, it’s the end of an unexpected chapter and a chance to come home after an incredible journey.
Stay tuned as we keep you updated on the latest developments. Will Friday be the day the Crew-10 team blasts off to bring our stranded astronauts home? We’re crossing our fingers and wishing them all “Godspeed”!
