The successful docking of SpaceX's Crew-10 mission with the International Space Station (ISS) marks a pivotal moment in space travel, bringing relief to astronauts stranded in orbit and enabling critical crew rotations. Launched on March 15, 2025, the Crew-10 mission, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carried astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi (JAXA), and Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos) to the ISS. Their primary objective: to replace astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who have been in orbit far longer than initially planned.

Docking occurred at approximately 9:37 AM IST on Sunday, March 16, with the Dragon spacecraft autonomously connecting to the forward-facing port of the Harmony module. Live coverage from NASA highlighted the meticulous monitoring of the approach by both the Crew-10 team and the ISS crew. The hatch opening, which took place around 11:12 AM IST, was followed by emotional embraces as the Crew-10 team joined the Expedition 72 crew, which includes NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Don Petitt, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.

The extended stay of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on the ISS was due to complications with Boeing's Starliner capsule, which faced numerous issues during its maiden flight in June 2024. What was intended to be a brief expedition turned into a ten-month ordeal. Technical malfunctions during the Starliner's approach and docking maneuvers prompted NASA to conduct a thorough investigation, deeming it too risky for the astronauts to return on the spacecraft. Subsequently, Williams and Wilmore were added to the Crew-9 mission's return leg, further delayed by logistical adjustments and battery repairs to their replacement capsule.

Now, with Crew-10's arrival, Williams and Wilmore are preparing to return to Earth alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The return is tentatively scheduled for March 19-20. Doctors anticipate a challenging recovery for the returning astronauts as they readjust to gravity and Earth's environment, with potential health issues expected to gradually even out over time.

The successful docking of the Crew Dragon capsule not only facilitates the return of the stranded astronauts but also ensures the continuation of critical science missions aboard the ISS. As Crew-10 acclimates to their new environment and takes over the responsibilities of Williams and Wilmore, NASA and its international partners are focused on completing the final phase of this extended mission, marking a triumph of collaboration and perseverance in the face of unforeseen challenges.