Crew 13 Launches to the I.S.S.
Crew 13 Arrival- Image Credit: Michael Howard - We Report Space
Cape Canaveral S.F.S. FL. – This morning, October 1, 2026, SpaceX launched the NASA Crew - 13 mission to the International Space Station (I.S.S.). The liftoff came at 11:10 AM EDT from Launch Complex 40.
Crew 13 - Image Credit: Michael Howard - We Report Space
This mission, scheduled to last several months carried NASA Astronauts: Jessican Watkins, Commander, Luke Delaney, Pilot, Canadian Astronaut, Joshua Kutryk, Mission Specialist, and Roscosmos Cosmonaut, Sergey Teteryatnikov, Mission Specialist . The astronauts flew to the I.S.S. aboard the Crew Dragon capsule named “Grace”. Less than 10 minutes after launch, the Crew Dragon separated from the second stage booster and was on orbit and heading to the I.S.S. This flight is the fastest flight of a Crew Dragon to the station with a docking time about 8 hours after launch. Crew Dragon “Grace” and her crew will dock with the forward section of the Harmony module of the I.S.S.
In recent days, it is being reported that the Crew Dragon capsule and the Flacon 9 will be retiring by 2030. There are contracts to the I.S.S. through the Crew-17 mission.
Liftoff of Crew 13 - Image Credit: Graham Smith - We Report Space
Crew Dragon “Grace” flew only one other mission and that was for the AX-4 flight back in June of 2025. The first stage booster is making its third flight having previously flying the Crew-12 mission and one Starlink mission. The first stage booster made a successful landing as LZ-40 shortly after launch.
First Stage Booster Return at LZ-40 - Image Credit: Graham Smith
The astronauts for Crew-13 arrived at the Kennedy Space Center back on September 26, 2026 to make final preparations for this several month long mission. While aboard the I.S.S., the astronauts will be conducting a number of medical experiments include a stem cell research experiment as well as experiments on the effects blood flow while in space.
In a statement from NASA: “Crew-13 is another demonstration of America’s unmatched capability in human spaceflight and the strength of our commercial partnerships,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “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. Congratulations to the crew and the NASA and SpaceX teams who made today’s launch possible.”
Inflight image along a cloudy Space Coast- Image Credit: Graham Smith - We Report Space
Once the Crew-13 mission concludes in the spring of 2027, Crew Dragon ”Grace” will splashdown off the coast of California.
Story By: Michael Howard – We Report Space
Images By: Michael Howard, Graham Smith – We Report Space