NASA · Space

SpaceX Crew-13 Mission to ISS Set for October 1 Launch

NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission is scheduled to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on October 1st. The crew will conduct research, test new technologies, and perform maintenance during their long-duration stay.

The crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins (commander) and Luke Delaney (pilot), along with CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, both mission specialists. They will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

During their mission, the crew will study stem-cell derived tissues to advance treatments for heart and Parkinson's diseases, explore crop production for spaceflight, understand blood flow abnormalities, and test new medical equipment.

This mission marks the 13th crew rotation flight with SpaceX to the ISS under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Grace, has flown previously.

Jessica Watkins will be making her second trip to the ISS and will be the first NASA astronaut to launch twice on a SpaceX Dragon. Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov will be making their first spaceflights.

Upon arrival, Crew-13 will join the Expedition 75 crew and will overlap with the returning Crew-12 mission for a brief handover period.

The mission will also involve receiving commercial resupply missions from SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, which will deliver essential supplies and solar arrays to the ISS.

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