Crew-10 Mission Set for March 13 Launch, Pending Review of Hydraulic System Issue

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The next available launch opportunity for NASA's Crew-10 mission is scheduled for 7:26 PM ET on March 13, 2025, from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center. However, the launch is contingent upon a review of a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp on the Falcon 9 rocket.

Engineers are currently assessing the situation after the issue was discovered, and the launch will proceed only if the problem is resolved. Crew-10, which includes four astronauts, is set to head to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will be commanded by NASA astronaut Anne McClain, with Nicole Ayers serving as the pilot, and Takuya Onishi of JAXA and Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos as mission specialists.

The delay stems from a technical problem related to the hydraulic system that helps release the rocket from its support structure. The team is working to address the issue, ensuring the Falcon 9 rocket is ready for launch.

This mission marks an important step in continued space exploration, with Crew-10 scheduled to replace astronauts currently aboard the ISS, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been there since June last year.

NASA and SpaceX remain optimistic about launching Crew-10 on March 13, provided the review of the hydraulic system does not uncover further complications.