What time is SpaceX launching tonight to rescue NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore?

SpaceX canceled the Crew-10 mission launch to retrieve astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded in space for nine months

Updated on: Mar 15, 2025, 03:28:28 IST

By HT News Desk

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The National Aeronautics Space Agency (Nasa) and SpaceX have stated that they would begin their Crew-10 mission to retrieve Sunita Williams and colleague astronaut Butch Wilmore on Friday at 7:03 pm EDT (Saturday, 4:30 am India time).

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been on the International Space Station since June. (AFP)

Shortly after SpaceX cancelled the Crew-10 mission launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre, which would have started Williams and Wilmore's eagerly anticipated journey down to Earth, the announcement was made.

The two had been stranded in space for nine months following a journey on Boeing's malfunctioning Starliner. They had arrived to the ISS for an eight-day visit.

A mechanical problem with one of the Falcon 9 rocket's ground support clamp arms forced the cancellation of the launch early Friday morning. After reviewing the matter, NASA subsequently declared that the next launch window would not be available before Saturday.

Also read: SpaceX delays ISS mission to bring stuck NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore home

It is anticipated that Williams and Wilmore would leave the ISS after 20 March if the Crew-10 mission launches successfully this time.

A new crew of astronauts, comprising Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from the Japanese space agency Jaxa, and Kirill Peskov from Roscosmos, will be sent to the ISS on the Crew-10 mission.

NASA has stressed that astronaut health and safety continue to be its top concern in spite of the delays. The crew has all they need to carry out their duties securely because the space station is fully provisioned.

Also read: Sunita Williams won't be back on Earth before March 19: NASA's latest update

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, and President Donald Trump demanded that Wilmore and Williams return earlier than NASA had originally scheduled, prompting the US space agency to advance the mission by two weeks.

Wilmore and Williams, two seasoned astronauts and US Navy test pilots, have been delayed in their eight-day planned stay aboard the orbiting station. Last year, Starliner came back to Earth without them.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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