Witness Humanity's Next Leap: SpaceX Crew-13 to the Stars!
The Imminent Launch: Crew-13's Journey to Orbit
SpaceX is on the verge of dispatching its latest team of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA. If you wish to witness this day-long expedition live, all the necessary viewing information is provided here.
Mission Overview: Crew, Rocket, and Destination
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is slated to transport four astronauts to the ISS as part of the Crew-13 mission. The launch is scheduled for October 1st, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with liftoff targeted for 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT). However, this timing is subject to change based on weather conditions or technical considerations. The entire event will be available for live streaming on this page and Space.com's YouTube channel at the time of launch.
Meet the Crew: Expedition 75's Newest Members
The SpaceX Crew-13 mission will carry NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, alongside Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, to the ISS for a six-month tenure. They will integrate with three existing crew members, forming part of the Expedition 75 team. Here’s a detailed guide on how and when to tune in to the launch.
Scheduled Liftoff: When to Catch the Action
SpaceX and NASA's current plan is to launch the Crew-13 astronaut mission to the ISS on Thursday, October 1st, at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT). The launch site is SpaceX's pad at Space Launch Complex 40, located within Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Potential Delays and Weather Considerations
The scheduled launch time may be adjusted if SpaceX needs to postpone by a day or two due to weather. As of now, there's a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions for the October 1st liftoff. Should a delay occur, the launch time on subsequent days would be earlier. The mission has already experienced delays since September due to issues with SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
Live Coverage: Where to Watch the Launch Online
Yes, you can certainly watch SpaceX's Crew-13 launch online, with various viewing platforms at your disposal. Space.com will provide a simulcast of NASA's Crew-13 launch livestream, which commences on Thursday at 9:20 a.m. EDT (1320 GMT). This will be followed by a post-launch press conference at 12:45 p.m. EDT (1645 GMT).
Alternative Viewing Platforms and Additional Events
Beyond Space.com, you can also follow the launch directly through NASA's YouTube channel, NASA+, or their official social media platforms. SpaceX is also expected to host its own launch webcast on its Crew-13 mission page and X social media account. Additionally, live views of the SpaceX Crew-13 rocket on the launchpad will be available approximately six hours before liftoff via the Kennedy Space Center Newsroom YouTube page. Several other live TV events related to Crew-13 are scheduled beyond the launch itself, which are detailed below.
Pre-Launch Briefing: Essential Details and Participants
The day before the launch, on Wednesday, September 30th, NASA will host a pre-launch briefing at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) at the Kennedy Space Center to discuss the specifics of the Crew-13 mission to the ISS. The speakers for this briefing include Dr. Lori Glaze, Dana Weigel, Mathieu Caron, William Gerstenmaier, and Arlena Moses.
Launch Day: From Liftoff to Separation
As previously mentioned, NASA's live webcast for Crew-13 will commence at 9:20 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 1st, nearly two hours prior to launch. The livestream will continue until the spacecraft separates. Crew-13 will follow a brief trajectory to the ISS, expected to take just under eight hours, with several events to follow after liftoff.
Post-Launch Conference: Celebrating the Mission
NASA will hold a press conference to commemorate the Crew-13 launch, with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman anticipated to lead the event. The conference is expected to last up to an hour, with the attendance of Dr. Lori Glaze, Dana Weigel, Mathieu Caron, and Julianna Scheiman.
Docking Coverage: Arrival at the ISS
NASA's coverage of the SpaceX Crew Dragon mission's docking will begin at 5:20 p.m. EDT (2120 GMT), extending through the approach and docking, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT). A separate livestream for the rendezvous will be available on NASA's YouTube channel and NASA+. Depending on the timing, NASA might also host a separate livestream for the welcome ceremony and hatch opening, when the two crews merge, scheduled for 8:45 p.m. EDT (0045 GMT).
Meet the Astronauts of Crew-13: Profiles of Exploration
The four-person crew of SpaceX's Crew-13 mission for NASA comprises a diverse group of space travelers, three of whom are undertaking their inaugural spaceflight. The mission is commanded by NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, with fellow NASA astronaut Luke Delaney serving as pilot. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov complete the crew as mission specialists. Here's a concise overview of each Crew-13 astronaut as they embark on their Expedition 75 mission to the ISS.
Jessica Watkins: A Veteran's Second Journey
Jessica Watkins, 38, from Lafayette, Colorado, joined NASA's astronaut corps in 2017 and is embarking on her second journey into space. She previously spent 170 days in space in 2022 as part of NASA's Crew-4 mission with SpaceX, making her the first NASA astronaut to fly on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft twice. She holds degrees in geology and environmental science from Stanford University and a doctorate in geology from UCLA, and was a member of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover science team before becoming an astronaut.
Luke Delaney: First-Time Flier and Marine Veteran
Luke Delaney, 47, is a rookie NASA astronaut making his first spaceflight with Crew-13. Hailing from Miami, Florida, he was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021 and is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major. He served as a test pilot and test pilot instructor in the Marines and was a naval aviator who participated in flight exercises across the Asia and Pacific regions during Operation Enduring Freedom. He possesses degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering from the University of North Florida and Naval Postgraduate School, respectively.
Joshua Kutryk: Canadian Pilot's Space Debut
Joshua Kutryk, 44, is a fighter pilot and test pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, holding the rank of colonel. Like Delaney, he is undertaking his first spaceflight after being selected for astronaut service by the Canadian Space Agency in 2017. He was initially assigned to the crew of NASA's Starliner 1 crewed flight on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft, but that mission was later reclassified as an uncrewed cargo delivery flight due to issues with the Starliner spacecraft. Born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, he holds degrees in mechanical engineering, space studies, flight test engineering, and defense studies.
Sergey Teteryatnikov: Russia's Youngest Cosmonaut
At 37, Sergey Teteryatnikov is the youngest member of the SpaceX Crew-13 crew and is also embarking on his first spaceflight. He was chosen as a test cosmonaut for Russia's space agency Roscosmos in 2021, following service aboard Russian submarines with the country's navy. A graduate of the Naval Academy in St. Petersburg, Teteryatnikov is an engineer specializing in ship power plant operations.
Mission Duration: The Flight to the ISS
SpaceX's Crew-13 mission (specifically its launch and docking phases) is projected to last approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes. This is the estimated time it will take for the Crew Dragon Grace spacecraft to reach the ISS. This spacecraft is undertaking its second flight, having previously transported four private astronauts to the station on the Ax-4 commercial flight for Axiom Space.
Orbital Rendezvous and Docking Procedures
Following launch, the Grace capsule will navigate a series of orbits around Earth to rendezvous with the ISS. The spacecraft will autonomously dock with the ISS at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) at a forward-facing port on the station's U.S.-built Harmony module. You can watch this event live at 5:20 p.m. EDT (2120 GMT).
Hatch Opening and Welcome Ceremony
After docking, the Crew-13 astronauts will formally integrate with the station's Expedition 75 crew during a hatch opening and welcome ceremony, scheduled for 8:45 p.m. EDT (0045 Oct. 2 GMT).
SpaceX Launch Sequence: A Detailed Timeline
Here's SpaceX's comprehensive schedule for the launch to help you plan your viewing session, including key events from fueling to engine ignition and liftoff.
Flight Events: Post-Liftoff Milestones
This timeline outlines critical flight events from liftoff, including Max Q, stage separation, second-stage engine start, and the first stage's various maneuvers and landing, culminating in Crew Dragon separation and nosecone opening.
Contingency Plans: What if October 1st is Delayed?
If SpaceX is unable to launch the Crew-13 astronauts for NASA on October 1st, the company has a backup launch opportunity on Friday, October 2nd. A launch on October 2nd would occur at 10:47 a.m. EDT (1447 GMT) to ensure the Crew Dragon capsule is on the correct trajectory to reach the International Space Station later that day. Any subsequent launch windows would likely depend on the reason for the delay, as well as the availability of the Eastern Range utilized by Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Cente