March 18, 2025: The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 12:04 a.m. EDT on Sunday, delivering crucial reinforcements for NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded in orbit due to technical issues with their spacecraft.
The Dragon spacecraft docked with the forward-facing port of the Harmony module while the station orbited approximately 260 miles over the Atlantic Ocean. Aboard the capsule were NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, bringing a fresh wave of expertise and supplies to the ISS.
Seamless Docking and Preparation for Hatch Opening
Following the docking procedure, the crew aboard the ISS and Dragon performed standard leak checks and pressurization procedures between the two spacecraft. Hatch opening was scheduled for approximately 1:45 a.m. EDT, allowing the new arrivals to join their colleagues aboard the orbiting laboratory.
With the arrival of Crew-10, the station’s population has temporarily increased to 11 members. The new crew will integrate with Expedition 72, which currently consists of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Don Pettit, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore, alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.
Next Steps for ISS Operations
This latest crew rotation marks a critical moment in ongoing ISS operations, as the new arrivals will take over responsibilities from Crew-9 members, including Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov, who are set to return to Earth following a structured handover period. The transition ensures the continued smooth functioning of the space station and maintains mission objectives in microgravity research, technology testing, and Earth observation.
NASA and SpaceX engineers continue to assess the situation regarding Williams and Wilmore’s original return vehicle, with efforts underway to resolve the technical issues that have delayed their departure.
The successful docking of the SpaceX Dragon underscores the reliability of commercial spaceflight partnerships in supporting ISS missions and ensuring crew safety. As operations continue, NASA and its international partners remain committed to maintaining a sustainable human presence in space.
