SpaceX and NASA will send four astronauts to the ISS with the Crew-10 mission

SpaceX and NASA will send four astronauts to the ISS with the Crew-10 mission

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March 12, 2025, SpaceX and NASA are set to launch another historic mission. According Space.com, The “Crew-10 mission” will send four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.

The launch is scheduled for 7:48 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew-10 mission includes four astronauts: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov. Let’s learn more about them.

Crew-10 Astronauts

Anne McClain
Anne McClain, Image: NASA

Anne McClain: A NASA astronaut and the mission commander, this will be her second trip to space. A colonel in the U.S. Army, she holds degrees in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and international security. She previously spent 204 days in space and conducted two spacewalks.

Nichole Ayers
Nichole Ayers, Image: NASA

Nichole Ayers: This NASA astronaut is the mission pilot and will be making her first spaceflight. A major in the U.S. Air Force, she has a degree in mathematics and was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021.

Takuya Onishi
Takuya Onishi, Image: NASA

Takuya Onishi: Representing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), this astronaut is a mission specialist on his second space journey. He previously spent 113 days on the ISS and holds a degree in aeronautics.

Kirill Peskov
Kirill Peskov, Image: Gettyimage

Kirill Peskov: A cosmonaut from Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, he’s also a mission specialist and will be making his first trip to space. Trained as an engineer, he has experience as a co-pilot on Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft.

Although Crew-10, SpaceX, and @NASA have completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities, SpaceX posted about it on X, which you can see here:

Why Are They Going to the ISS?

These four astronauts will spend several months on the International Space Station, working on various objectives. Here’s why they’re going:

  • New Scientific Research: The Crew-10 team will conduct experiments in microgravity (low gravity). This research is crucial for preparing for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit, such as missions to the Moon and Mars. They’ll study the effects of space on the human body, grow plants in space, and test new technologies.
  • Benefits for Earth: Their experiments will also help people on Earth. Research in microgravity can improve medicine production, advance materials science, and contribute to environmental solutions.
  • ISS Maintenance: The crew will perform upkeep and repairs to keep the space station running smoothly. This includes fixing equipment, checking systems, and potentially conducting spacewalks if needed.
  • Crew Rotation and Handover: This mission will replace the Crew-9 astronauts currently on the ISS (Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Alexander Gorbunov). After Crew-10 arrives, the Crew-9 team will spend a few days briefing the new crew on station operations and ongoing experiments before returning to Earth.

Mission Highlights

  • The Dragon spacecraft used for this mission previously flew Crew-3, Crew-5, and Crew-7 missions.
  • After launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage will land back at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
  • You can watch the live broadcast on SpaceX’s website, X (@SpaceX), or the X TV app, starting 1 hour and 20 minutes before liftoff.

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