NASA targets Oct. 13 launch for SpaceX’s 35th ISS resupply mission
The Falcon 9‑launched Dragon will carry more than 6,300 pounds of cargo, including the final Roll‑Out Solar Arrays and hardware for artificial‑retina research.
By Felo News Desk · Published
NASA and SpaceX are aiming for a launch no earlier than Tuesday, Oct. 13, to deliver scientific investigations, supplies and equipment to the International Space Station, according to two NASA releases.
What happened
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, loaded with over 6,300 pounds of cargo, will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is scheduled for 6:33 a.m. EDT on Oct. 13, and the vehicle is expected to autonomously dock with the space‑facing port of the Harmony module around 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.
What the reports add
NASA’s overview page notes that the mission will stream live launch and docking coverage on the agency’s website, while the later news release adds that a media teleconference will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, to preview the cargo and to provide a post‑splashdown update for the Crew‑12 mission. Both sources confirm the payload weight and the launch site, but the second release specifies the exact launch time (6:33 a.m. EDT) and the inclusion of the final set of International Space Station Roll‑Out Solar Arrays.
What was said
NASA’s statements, as quoted in the releases, emphasize the mission’s role in supporting research that advances long‑duration lunar and Martian missions. The agency also highlighted the delivery of hardware for the LambdaVision‑1 experiment, which tests manufacturing artificial eye retinas in microgravity, and 3‑D heart‑tissue models for biomedical research.
How it came about
The 35th commercial resupply services flight follows a series of recent crewed missions, including SpaceX’s Crew‑13 launch on Oct. 1 (crew‑13‑live‑coverage) and the Crew‑12 mission that concluded in early October (crew‑12‑iss‑mission). Earlier this year, NASA announced the retirement of Crew Dragon and a shift toward Boeing’s Starliner, but the agency continues to rely on SpaceX for cargo deliveries while the Starliner program matures.
Key facts
- Launch is targeted for no earlier than Oct. 13, 2026 at 6:33 a.m. EDT. (nasa.gov)
- Dragon will carry more than 6,300 pounds of supplies and experiments. (nasa.gov)
- Docking is scheduled for around 11 a.m. EDT on Oct. 15, 2026. (nasa.gov)
- Payload includes the final Roll‑Out Solar Arrays and LambdaVision‑1 hardware. (nasa.gov)
- Live coverage will be streamed on NASA’s website. (nasa.gov)
Timeline
- 2026-09-29 — NASA announced live coverage schedule for SpaceX Crew‑13 mission.
- 2026-10-01 — SpaceX launched Crew‑13 to the ISS.
- 2026-10-02 — NASA’s Crew‑12 mission wrapped up ISS research.
