On March 16, 2025, Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner greeted NASA astronauts with an alien-themed gesture during the Crew-10 docking at the International Space Station, creating a lighthearted moment that captivated viewers. The welcome, live-streamed, was a playful way to ease the transition for the new crew members and emphasized the friendly interactions among spacefarers. This event coincided with a critical SpaceX mission aimed at rescuing stranded astronauts from the ISS, highlighting the collaborative efforts of international space agencies.
The Crew-10 astronauts, including NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with JAXA’s Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos’ Kirill Peskov, were welcomed by Vagner’s unconventional greeting as they entered the station after a successful docking. The live stream captured the moment, showing Vagner moving around the station in his alien costume while others prepared the spacecraft for deboarding. NASA’s spokesperson described the occasion as a ‘lighthearted moment,’ acknowledging the camaraderie among the crew members.
Following the hatch opening by Suni Williams, the ship’s bell was rung to mark the arrival of the new astronauts, who then floated in, shook hands, and embraced the Expedition 72 crew after Vagner’s playful welcome. ‘It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive,’ Williams remarked to Mission Control, expressing her excitement about the new arrivals. This moment of unity among astronauts and cosmonauts underscored the spirit of international cooperation in space exploration.
The situation leading up to the Crew-10 arrival had been complicated by technical issues that stranded NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague. Their mission, initially planned to last only a week, had been extended due to the Boeing Starliner incident, which forced NASA to bring the spacecraft back empty. The SpaceX rescue mission not only provided a solution to this problem but also marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA and private space companies. As the crew members prepare for their return home, they will be accompanied by their replacements, who have already begun familiarizing themselves with the space station’s operations.