A SpaceX capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, bringing four astronauts to the orbiting lab and paving the way for the return of two NASA astronauts who have been on the ISS for over nine months. The new arrivals were greeted with hugs and smiles in zero gravity, marking an emotional moment for the crew.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, part of NASA's crew-swap mission, delivered the astronauts to the ISS, enabling Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Suni Williams to finally head back to Earth. Williams expressed her joy, saying it was a wonderful day and great to see their friends arrive.
The Crew-10 astronauts launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and docked with the ISS approximately 29 hours later. NASA astronaut and team commander Anne McClain shared her excitement in a live broadcast, describing the journey and the awe of seeing the space station from their capsule.
The new crew was warmly welcomed by the seven-member team already aboard, including Wilmore and Williams. These two veteran astronauts have been on the ISS longer than planned due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which returned to Earth without them.
The Crew-10 mission, while a routine crew rotation, is crucial for bringing Wilmore and Williams back home. They are set to leave the ISS on Wednesday, accompanied by American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The Crew Dragon craft that brought Hague and Gorbunov in September has remained docked at the station, ready to transport Wilmore and Williams.
The Crew-10 team, expected to remain on the ISS for about six months, includes Americans Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russian Kirill Peskov. The mission faced political controversy when former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk pushed for a faster launch, alleging without evidence that the previous administration had neglected Wilmore and Williams for political reasons. Danish astronaut Andreas "Andy" Mogensen dismissed these claims as false.
During their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams have been conducting scientific research and routine maintenance. Williams recently shared her anticipation of reuniting with her family and two dogs, acknowledging the emotional toll the situation has taken on her loved ones.