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Huge moment for stranded astronauts

This is the dramatic moment a SpaceX capsule docked at the International Space Station to rescue two astronauts stuck since June.

SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, setting the stage to finally retrieve the two NASA astronauts who have been stuck in orbit for months.

The Space-X space capsule docked at the ISS at 12:05am EST on Sunday after lifting off on Friday from Florida.

Video feed showing Crew-10’s dramatic docking onto the ISS was shared live on X, the New York Post reported.

One camera showed the docking from the perspective of the ISS, with Crew-10 approaching as a cloudy atmosphere over Australia rotates in the background.

 

 

Space-X and NASA engineers celebrated in their Earth-bound offices as the Crew-10 capsule successfully latched onto the ISS docking port.

The arriving crew plans to enter the ISS just before 2:00am EST.

American Astronaut Butch Willmore greeted the arriving crew members when the hatch finally opened onto the space station.

 

This image taken from a NASA livestream shows the SpaceX Dragon Crew-10 members (in dark blue) clapping after entering the International Space Station. Picture: NASA/AFP
This image taken from a NASA livestream shows the SpaceX Dragon Crew-10 members (in dark blue) clapping after entering the International Space Station. Picture: NASA/AFP

SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft carrying Crew-10 members as it approaches the International Space Station. Picture: NASA/AFP
SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft carrying Crew-10 members as it approaches the International Space Station. Picture: NASA/AFP

 

Sunita “Suni” Williams smiled as she snapped photos of her crewmates during the docking.

Both crews embraced each other as the new team made their way through the hatch.

“Houston, thank you for tuning in this early morning,” Williams said. “It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive. Thank you so much.”

 

There was utter joy. Picture: NASA/AFP
There was utter joy. Picture: NASA/AFP


SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launches from the Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launches from the Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP


An image of the ISS as seen from the perspective of the Crew-10 capsule on its way to docking. Picture: NASA
An image of the ISS as seen from the perspective of the Crew-10 capsule on its way to docking. Picture: NASA

 

Williams and Wilmore have been stuck on the ISS since June due to their Boeing Starliner encountering a litany of issues preventing their return which was originally planned for eight days after their arrival.

 

SpaceX Dragon Crew-10 member Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov greets members of the International Space Station crew. Picture: NASA/AFP
SpaceX Dragon Crew-10 member Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov greets members of the International Space Station crew. Picture: NASA/AFPa

The arrival of SpaceXat the ISS will enable the long-overdue departure from the ISS of NASA duo Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Picture: NASA/AFP
The arrival of SpaceXat the ISS will enable the long-overdue departure from the ISS of NASA duo Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Picture: NASA/AFP


The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launches. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launches. Picture: Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP


The space-trotting duo were later folded into a plan to leave after the arrival of Crew-9, comprised of American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who arrived on the ISS in August.

That plan was also scrapped due to the lack of an emergency escape pod for those who would remain on the ISS.

Now, both Williams and Wilmore will join Crew-9 on their journey back home to Earth. They are expected to begin their return flight in the next few days, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on X.

Crew-10 initially planned to launch on Wednesday evening — but the mission was postponed due to a problem with a ground support clamp arm on the rocket.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission.

Author: Christopher Scarglato and Shane Galvin – New York Post

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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