Crew-10 Astronauts Leave ISS: Paving the Way for Stuck Starliner Crew's Return

The Crew-10 Mission and Its Impact on Spaceflight History

In mid-March, a group of four astronauts arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) for what was initially expected to be a routine mission. NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain were joined by Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov on a mission known as Crew-10. While this mission might have seemed unremarkable under normal circumstances, it took on significant importance due to its role in resolving the Boeing Starliner saga.

The Crew-10 mission was part of the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, which has been instrumental in transporting astronauts to and from the ISS. Upon arrival, the crew was met with months of scientific experiments designed to take advantage of the microgravity environment. However, the mission also became a pivotal moment in spaceflight history, as it set the stage for the return of two astronauts who had been stranded aboard the Boeing Starliner.

The Boeing Starliner Saga

The Boeing Starliner's journey began with high expectations when astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams embarked on their inaugural crewed flight in June 2024. However, the mission quickly turned into a series of technical challenges that ultimately led to the decision to leave them stranded at the ISS. The Starliner experienced multiple malfunctions, making it unsafe for the crew to return to Earth using the vehicle.

As a result, NASA launched the Crew-9 mission in September 2024, with two astronauts heading to the ISS on a Dragon capsule. Two empty seats were reserved for Wilmore and Williams, allowing them to remain at the station while the agency worked on a solution. This decision was made to avoid leaving the ISS understaffed and to ensure the safety of the crew.

Wilmore and Williams eventually returned to Earth in March 2025, following the arrival of the Crew-10 astronauts. Their return marked the end of a challenging chapter in spaceflight and highlighted the importance of having reliable transportation options for astronauts.

Preparing for the Next Mission: Crew-11

Now that the Crew-10 astronauts are preparing to return to Earth, the focus is shifting to the upcoming Crew-11 mission. Scheduled to launch no earlier than 12:09 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31, from near Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Crew-11 mission will be NASA and SpaceX’s 11th science expedition to the ISS.

This mission is part of NASA’s commercial crew program, which allows the agency to contract SpaceX to transport astronauts and cargo to orbit. This arrangement enables NASA to focus on other ambitious projects, such as the Artemis lunar program and future crewed missions to Mars.

Selected for the Crew-11 mission are NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They will travel aboard a Dragon crew capsule, the only U.S. spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the ISS.

The Journey Back to Earth

The arrival of the Crew-11 astronauts will mark the beginning of the end for the Crew-10 team. After a brief handover period, during which the new crew becomes familiar with the station’s operations, the Crew-10 astronauts will depart the ISS. They will return to Earth on the same Dragon capsule that brought them to the station.

Before their return, mission teams will review weather conditions off the California coast, where the Dragon is expected to splash down. This process ensures the safety of the crew and the success of the mission.

Current Crew at the ISS

In addition to the Crew-10 astronauts, three other spacefarers are currently living and working aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 73. These include NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, who arrived at the station in April.

The presence of these crews highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain and expand human presence in space. Each mission contributes to our understanding of life in microgravity and prepares us for future exploration beyond low Earth orbit.