NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission launched on Thursday, 1 October 2026, at 11:10 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket carried the Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
A record trip to the station
According to NASA, Dragon was scheduled to dock autonomously to the forward port of the station's Harmony module at approximately 7 p.m. after a flight of about 7 hours and 50 minutes. NASA describes this as the fastest launch-to-docking by a US spacecraft in the history of the International Space Station. SpaceX monitors the automatic manoeuvres from Hawthorne, California, and NASA follows station operations from Mission Control in Houston.
Crew-13 is another demonstration of America’s unmatched capability in human spaceflight and the strength of our commercial partnerships.Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator
Joining Expedition 75
The four crew members join Expedition 75, which already includes NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. After a brief handover, Crew-12 with Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev will return to Earth.
Research on board
- Producing human stem cell derived tissues in microgravity for research on conditions such as heart disease and Parkinson's.
- A new, mostly autonomous plant growth system.
- Studies on blood flow abnormalities in microgravity and a new inflight diagnostic device.
Frequently asked questions
When did Crew-13 launch?
On 1 October 2026 at 11:10 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
How long did Crew-13 take to reach the ISS?
NASA planned a flight of about 7 hours and 50 minutes, the fastest launch-to-docking by a US spacecraft in station history.
Related reading
- SpaceX Crew-13 Set to Launch
- How Do Crew and Supplies Get to the ISS?
- NASA Names the SpaceX Crew-14 Crew
Sources
Cover image: The Falcon 9 first stage that launched Dragon on NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission, 1 October 2026. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky (NHQ202610010031), public domain.