NASA and SpaceX Set October 1 Launch for Crew-13 Mission to Space Station

Mission Launch Scheduled for Early October

NASA and SpaceX have announced that the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station is targeted for launch on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with a planned liftoff window opening at 11:10 a.m. EDT. The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. In the days leading up to launch, ground teams will conduct final preparations and readiness reviews to verify that all systems—including the astronaut crew, the orbiting station, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, and the Falcon 9 rocket—are operationally ready for flight.

Rapid Journey to Orbit

If the launch proceeds on schedule, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to reach the International Space Station in less than nine hours, with docking targeted for approximately 8 p.m. at the forward-facing port of the Harmony module. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry Dragon into orbit, after which the spacecraft will perform a series of orbital maneuvers to match the station's trajectory. The docking procedure itself is a carefully orchestrated process in which Dragon aligns with its designated port and attaches securely. The Harmony module, one of the station's primary connecting hubs, provides multiple docking locations for visiting spacecraft and crew vehicles.

The Crew-13 Team

The mission will carry four spaceflyers representing both American and international space agencies. NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins will command the spacecraft, while NASA astronaut Luke Delaney will serve as pilot. The mission specialists are Joshua Kutryk, representing the Canadian Space Agency, and Sergey Teteryatnikov, a Roscosmos cosmonaut. Upon arrival at the station, these four crew members will become part of Expedition 75, the long-duration mission roster responsible for conducting scientific research, maintaining the orbiting laboratory, and supporting various technology demonstrations and station operations.

Pre-Launch Preparations

The Crew-13 astronauts are currently observing standard quarantine protocols at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, a precautionary measure designed to minimize the risk of illness before launch. As final preparations continue, the crew is scheduled to depart Houston and travel to NASA Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, September 26, positioning them for the planned October 1 liftoff. These final days before launch will be dedicated to completing all remaining checks and verification procedures to ensure mission success.