SpaceX's Crew-10 Docks at ISS, Falcon 9 Launches Starlink Satellites with Direct to Cell Capabilities; Crew-9 Set for Return

SpaceX's Crew-10 mission, aboard the Crew Dragon capsule 'Endurance,' successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on March 16, after a 28-hour journey. The mission, launched via a Falcon 9 rocket, carried astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov, who will spend six months on the ISS. Their arrival allows for the return of Nick Hague, Oleg Gorbunov, Sunita Williams, and Barry Wilmore aboard the Crew-9 Dragon, planned for March 19. Simultaneously, SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink satellites using a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. This launch included 23 Starlink satellites, 13 equipped with Direct to Cell technology, aimed at providing global cellular connectivity. The Falcon 9 booster achieved its 18th launch and landing, demonstrating SpaceX's commitment to reusable rocket technology. This Starlink expansion enhances global internet access, even in remote areas, supporting text, voice, and IoT communications.