NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain aboard the International Space Station’s Harmony module as NASA adjusts its plans for an upcoming crew rotation. On Tuesday, the agency announced a change in the spacecraft assigned to its Crew-10 mission, opting to use a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule rather than a newly built one, which has faced production delays. This shift will allow for an earlier launch, moving the mission up to March 12 from the originally planned March 25.
The Crew Dragon capsule now set to be used, named Endeavor, has already completed three previous missions. While NASA still needs to conduct a flight readiness review to confirm its suitability, the switch will enable a more timely return for Wilmore and Williams, who have been on the ISS far longer than originally anticipated. Their departure has been dependent on the arrival of the Crew-10 team, ensuring that the station maintains a consistent number of American astronauts.
The extended stay of Wilmore and Williams, who arrived on Boeing’s troubled Starliner capsule last summer, unexpectedly became a subject of political discourse after former President Donald Trump urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to expedite their return. Despite Trump’s public demand, NASA had already planned for the astronauts’ return as soon as operationally feasible. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing safety and mission efficiency, with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich noting that human spaceflight often presents unexpected challenges. He also commended SpaceX for its adaptability in meeting mission requirements.
The decision to use Endeavor for Crew-10 has had a ripple effect on other planned missions. One such mission, Fram2, a private astronaut expedition led by Maltese crypto entrepreneur Chun Wang, was originally scheduled to use Endeavor for a polar-orbiting mission but will now require a different Crew Dragon. Wang acknowledged the change on social media with a disappointed reaction.
Additionally, the Crew-10 swap is expected to affect Axiom Space’s planned Crew Dragon flight, which was set to carry government astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary. The Houston-based company, which organizes both private and government missions to the ISS, has yet to comment on how the change will impact its schedule.
Despite these logistical shifts, NASA remains focused on maintaining the safety and continuity of its crewed spaceflight missions, ensuring the ISS is properly staffed while accommodating the evolving timeline of commercial and private space travel.
