SpaceX launched NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station on October 1, carrying four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 11:10 a.m. EDT.
The crew comprises NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. Watkins is the mission commander, while Delaney serves as pilot.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft reached the International Space Station later the same day. It docked automatically with the forward port of the Harmony module at 7:05 p.m. EDT, completing the journey in seven hours and 55 minutes. The flight set a record for the fastest launch-to-docking time by a US spacecraft travelling to the station.
The spacecraft’s hatch opened at 9:19 p.m. EDT, allowing the four astronauts to join Expedition 75. Their mission is scheduled to last about six months.
The crew will conduct scientific research in microgravity during its stay. Planned work includes experiments involving human stem cell-derived tissues for personalised medicine and disease modelling. The astronauts will also conduct plant-growth research using automated cultivation systems and participate in studies of human health in microgravity.
Crew-13 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew programme, which uses partnerships with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Watkins is making her second spaceflight. The mission also marks another crew rotation for the station’s Expedition programme.
