NASA launches SpaceX’s Crew-13 on a record-breaking journey to the International Space Station
The four astronauts lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at around 11:10 a.m. EST.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 heads to the ISS
We have liftoff! NASA has launched SpaceX's Crew-13 into space. The spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delany, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. The crew will carry out scientific experiments designed to advance research and technology for future missions to the Moon and Mars while improving life on Earth.
THE TAKEAWAYS:
- Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission launched on Thursday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
- A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delany, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
- This mission is the fastest launch-to-docking by a U.S. spacecraft in the history of the International Space Station.
NASA launched SpaceX’s Crew-13 mission Thursday, sending four astronauts on a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.
NASA'S MISSION TO SAVE THE SWIFT TELESCOPE EXPERIENCES A MAJOR SETBACK
"Crew-13 is another demonstration of America’s unmatched capability in human spaceflight and the strength of our commercial partnerships," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. (Joel Kowsky / Getty Images)
The four astronauts lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at around 11:10 a.m. EST, marking the 13th crew mission to the International Space Station.
NASA ANNOUNCES ARTEMIS III ASTRONAUTS IN NEXT PHASE OF MISSION TO RETURN HUMANS TO THE MOON
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit, carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delany, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
"Jessica, Luke, Joshua, and Sergey will carry forward important work aboard the International Space Station while helping us build the experience and capabilities needed for ambitious missions to the Moon and beyond," Isaacman said.
CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk, left, NASA astronauts Luke Delaney and Jessica Watkins, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. (Joel Kowsky / Getty Images)
The spacecraft autonomously docked at the forward port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 7 p.m.
This is the fastest launch-to-docking by a U.S. spacecraft in the history of the International Space Station.
"Each space station mission adds to our blueprint for exploration, and the work our crews carry out guides our plans while ensuring we keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in human spaceflight," said Dr. Lori Glaze, associate administrator of NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Washington.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with the Crew Dragon capsule lifts off for NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, Florida on October 1, 2026. (CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP / Getty Images)
During the flight, SpaceX monitored a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in California.
At the same time, NASA observed the space station’s operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center in Houston.
MEET RISE, THE BELOVED ARTEMIS II MASCOT THAT TRAVELED TO THE MOON AND BACK
"Our steady cadence of commercial crew launches demonstrates the essential role the International Space Station plays in sustaining our presence in Earth’s orbit and sharpening the tools we’ll take forward to the Moon and Mars," Glaze said.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, NASA astronauts Luke Delaney and Jessica Watkins, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov walk out from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center ahead of their scheduled launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on October 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Paul Hennesy/Anadolu)
According to NASA, the goal of the mission is to carry out scientific experiments designed to advance research and technology for future missions to the Moon and Mars while improving life on Earth.
The crew will conduct research, technology demonstrations and maintenance aboard the orbiting laboratory.
NASA will launch four astronauts on to the International Space Station. (Joel Kowsky/NASA / Getty Images)
"During the mission, the crew will help researchers treat heart disease and Parkinson’s disease by studying human stem-cell-derived tissues that can help improve medicine, disease modeling and pharmaceutical testing," said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA STARTS PREPARATIONS FOR ARTEMIS III MISSION WITH SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM ROLLOUT
Weigel also noted that the crew will explore crop production aboard the International Space Station and test new diagnostic medical equipment for monitoring crew health.
In addition to their other duties aboard the International Space Station, the crew will assist with NASA’s SpaceX-35 commercial resupply mission this fall and NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services-25 mission, which will happen later this year.