SpaceX Crew-10 Prepares to Replace Astronauts Stranded on ISS for Nine Months

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, initially on an eight-day mission, are set to return to Earth after extended delays caused by Boeing Starliner issues.

SpaceX's Crew-10 mission is scheduled to launch on March 12, carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) to replace the current Crew-9 team.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, originally on a short Boeing Starliner mission in June 2024, have been on the ISS for over nine months due to technical issues with the spacecraft.
The Boeing Starliner faced multiple malfunctions, including thruster and helium system failures, leading NASA to rely on SpaceX's Crew Dragon for the astronauts' safe return.
Williams and Wilmore are expected to return to Earth on March 16 aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft following a handover of ISS operations to Crew-10.
NASA astronaut Anne McClain emphasized the ISS's critical role in global scientific research and international collaboration, defending its mission amid recent criticisms.