Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner welcomed the Crew-10 astronauts to the International Space Station with a humorous twist, donning an alien mask during their arrival on March 16, 2025.
On March 16, 2025, the International Space Station (ISS) welcomed its newest crew members in a lighthearted manner, showcasing the camaraderie among astronauts. Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner greeted the Crew-10 astronauts with a playful twist, wearing an alien mask as they arrived aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
The Crew-10 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday at 7:03 p.m. and successfully docked with the ISS at 12:04 a.m. on Sunday, approximately 29 hours later. As the new arrivals prepared to deboard the spacecraft, Vagner was seen floating around the station in his alien disguise, complete with a hoodie, pants, and socks, adding a humorous touch to the occasion.
NASA spokespersons described the moment as a “lighthearted” welcome for the astronauts, who included NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The hatches between the ISS and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft were opened at 1:35 a.m. EDT, allowing the Crew-10 members to enter the station.
Following the hatch opening, Suni Williams rang the ship’s bell to mark the occasion as the newcomers floated in. They were greeted with handshakes and hugs from the Expedition 72 crew, further emphasizing the spirit of teamwork and friendship that characterizes life in space. “It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive,” Williams remarked to Mission Control.
Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are set to guide the new arrivals through the operations of the ISS before they return home after a nine-month mission. Initially, their stay was only scheduled to last one week, but complications with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft forced NASA to bring the vehicle back empty, leaving them in space longer than anticipated.
As part of the ongoing rotation of crew members, Crew-9 commander Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are expected to depart the station on Wednesday, with a planned splashdown off the coast of Florida as early as 4 a.m.
This playful welcome underscores the unique environment of the ISS, where humor and camaraderie play a vital role in the daily lives of astronauts. The incident has drawn attention to the lighter side of space missions, reminding us that even in the vastness of space, laughter and friendship can thrive.
According to Fox News, the Crew-10 mission continues to highlight the collaborative efforts of international space agencies in advancing human exploration beyond Earth.