NASA and SpaceX Accelerate Crew-10 Launch with Strategic Spacecraft Swap

NASA and SpaceX are advancing the launch date for Crew-10 by reusing a previously flown Dragon spacecraft, Endurance.

This strategic move not only expedites Crew-10’s arrival at the International Space Station (ISS) but also ensures the timely return of Crew-9, all while maintaining mission safety. The flexibility in planning demonstrates the strong partnership between NASA and SpaceX, facilitating a smooth crew transition aboard the ISS.

Accelerated Crew Rotation Missions

NASA and SpaceX are adjusting the launch and return schedules for the upcoming crew rotation missions to and from the ISS. Crew-10 is now set to launch at 7:48 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 12, subject to final mission readiness and flight certification. In the meantime, Crew-9 will return to Earth after several days of handing over operations to the incoming Crew-10 team.

Reason for the Change in Crew-10’s Launch Date

The earlier launch date is made possible by a shift in NASA’s original plans. Rather than utilizing a brand-new Dragon spacecraft—which requires additional processing time—Crew-10 will be launched aboard Endurance, a previously flown Dragon capsule. NASA and SpaceX teams are currently assessing the spacecraft’s hardware to ensure it complies with all safety and certification standards of the Commercial Crew Program.

Prior to the launch, Endurance will undergo refurbishment, including trunk stacking, propellant loading, and transport to SpaceX’s hangar at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There, it will be integrated with the Falcon 9 rocket. This mission will mark Endurance’s fourth trip to the ISS, having previously supported Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 missions.

NASA’s View on the Adjustment

“Human spaceflight comes with unexpected challenges. Our operational flexibility stems from the strong partnership between NASA and SpaceX, along with the agility that SpaceX continuously demonstrates in safely addressing the agency’s evolving needs,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “We greatly benefit from SpaceX’s commercial initiatives and their proactive stance in having another spacecraft ready for us to assess and utilize for Crew-10.”

This change will also allow SpaceX, which manages the Dragon fleet, to complete the interior build of new spacecraft and carry out final integration activities while simultaneously launching Crew-10 and returning Crew-9.

Crew-10 Mission Details

The Crew-10 mission will transport NASA astronauts Anne McClain (commander) and Nichole Ayers (pilot), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi (mission specialist), and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov (mission specialist) to the ISS.

Crew-9’s Return and Handover Process

Upon Crew-10’s arrival at the ISS, Crew-9 will assist the new crew in acclimating to ongoing scientific research and station maintenance work, ensuring a safer operational transition aboard the orbital facility.

Following this handover, NASA and SpaceX will prepare to return NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, aboard Crew-9, contingent on favorable weather conditions at the splashdown sites off the coast of Florida.