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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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.