Williams and Wilmore greet new crew with hugs and smiles as SpaceX Crew-10 docks at ISS
NASA and SpaceX’s Crew-10 successfully docks with the ISS, preparing astronauts Williams and Wilmore for their journey home after nine months in space.
After a nine-month wait, NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-10 mission to the ISS to bring back astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded in space since June. The Crew-10 capsule docked successfully with the ISS at 12:05 a.m. EST on Sunday, just over a day after its launch, marking the start of a long-term space research mission. (Image credit: PTI)
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With the Crew-10 team’s arrival, NASA and its global partners have successfully worked to bring back the stranded astronauts. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft was selected as their return vehicle after initial delays due to necessary battery repairs. (Image credit: AP)
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The incoming astronauts—Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos—will assume control of operations following a brief handover phase. (Image credit: Texasbrn/X)
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Over the next few days, the incoming crew will take over the station’s operations, allowing the stranded astronauts to get ready for their long-awaited return. The new crew, consisting of members from the US, Japan, and Russia, will learn the station’s procedures from Williams and Wilmore during this transition period. (Image credit: PTI)
Before Williams and Wilmore board the Dragon capsule, Crew-10 will carry out essential pressurization and leak tests between the spacecraft and the ISS. These important procedures are conducted to ensure a safe transition and avoid any issues during the journey back to Earth. (Image credit: NASA)
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Butch Wilmore opened the hatch and rang the ship's bell as the new astronauts entered, one by one, and were greeted with hugs and handshakes from the current crew, including Sunita Williams. (Image credit: AP)
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With Crew-10's arrival, the ISS briefly accommodated 11 astronauts, including members from Expedition 72. This temporary increase in crew will be resolved once Williams, Wilmore, and Crew-9 complete their handover and return to Earth aboard the SpaceX capsule. (Image credit: PTI)
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After nine months in space, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore shared an emotional, weightless embrace with the incoming crew. Their arrival marked the beginning of Williams and Wilmore's long-awaited return home, bringing a renewed sense of energy. They are expected to return to Earth no earlier than Wednesday, March 19, aboard a SpaceX capsule that has been stationed at the ISS since last year. (Image credit: AP)
Wilmore and Williams will return to Earth with Crew-9, which includes American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who have been aboard the ISS since August. After spending an extended period in space, astronauts require medical monitoring to help them adapt to gravity again. NASA closely monitors their recovery, as they often face dizziness, nausea, and muscle weakness as they regain their ability to walk independently. (Image credit: NASA)
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After months of delays, Williams and Wilmore are finally preparing for re-entry. Their mission is coming to a close as they get ready to board the Dragon capsule and return to Earth later this week, marking the end of a journey defined by resilience and perseverance. (Image credit: PTI)
