In a thrilling milestone for space exploration, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) this week, marking a crucial step in a mission to bring NASA astronauts back home. This isn’t just another routine docking—it’s part of the daring Crew-10 mission that was launched to rescue astronauts who’ve been stuck aboard the ISS for far longer than originally planned. So, what’s all the fuss about? Let’s break it down.
A Lifeline to the ISS
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which has been used for various missions since its debut, plays a key role in NASA’s strategy to shuttle astronauts to and from the ISS. On March 16, 2025, the Dragon spacecraft arrived at the ISS, carrying the Crew-10 astronauts. According to CNN, Crew-10 is made up of NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. It’s set to take over the task of bringing the astronauts back, signaling a successful collaboration between SpaceX, NASA, and the broader space exploration community.
The Mission Behind Crew-10
Crew-10’s mission isn’t just about getting astronauts to the ISS—it’s about rescuing NASA astronauts who were previously stranded in space due to delays in spacecraft launches.
NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Butch Wilmore are now one step closer to their journey home from the ISS. Sunita “Suni” Williams and Butch Wilmore were scheduled to spend about a week aboard the ISS. However, their brief stay turned into a nine-month mission after NASA determined it was unsafe to bring them back on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they used to reach orbit.
The duo arrived at the ISS in early June, but by September, NASA decided to bring the Starliner back empty due to technical concerns. This mission marked Boeing’s first crewed flight of the Starliner, but the spacecraft returned to Earth without its crew on September 6, landing safely.
During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore became members of the ISS Crew-9 team, contributing to the station’s research and maintenance. Williams even set a new record for the most spacewalking time by a woman, clocking in 62 hours and 6 minutes in space.
Despite the lengthy delay, NASA has emphasized that Williams and Wilmore were never stranded or stuck, as ABC News reported.
“It’s been a rollercoaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us,” Williams told reporters this month, when talking about returning home, as The Guardian reported.
The Docking: A Smooth Process
Docking with the ISS is no easy feat. It requires impeccable timing, advanced technology, and a perfectly coordinated effort between the spacecraft and the space station. SpaceX’s Dragon, designed for precise and reliable docking, smoothly connected with the ISS, providing a much-needed lifeline to the station’s crew. The process was a success, with the crew members aboard Dragon now preparing for their mission’s next stages, including supporting the recovery of astronauts stuck in space.
What’s Next for the Crew?
With the Dragon safely docked and the Crew-10 astronauts aboard, the next steps involve both supporting the ISS crew and preparing for the return journey to Earth. The astronauts are expected to assist with the transfer of scientific equipment and supplies, while ensuring that their fellow astronauts have everything they need for the journey home.
After all the work is done on the ISS, Crew-10 will join the crew members in preparing for their journey back to Earth. The spacecraft will begin its journey home, making the trip back safely—a highly anticipated moment for those aboard and for those back on Earth waiting for their safe return.
