SpaceX launches Crew‑13 to ISS on eight‑hour transit
Four astronauts, including the first Black woman commander, lifted off from Cape Canaveral after a delay caused by a fuel‑system leak.
By Felo News Desk · Published
SpaceX launched the Crew‑13 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, sending four astronauts on an eight‑hour trip to the International Space Station, according to the Independent.
What happened
The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon capsule lifted off at 11:10 a.m. EDT (4 p.m. UK time) from Space Launch Complex 40 after a three‑week postponement to repair a leaking fuel system. The crew—NASA commander Jessica Watkins, NASA astronaut Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov—will spend six months aboard the ISS. The flight is expected to dock with the station roughly eight hours after launch, making it the quickest crewed transit for SpaceX.
What the reports add
The Independent’s first article notes that Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit and highlights her background as a geologist who worked on the Curiosity rover. It also mentions that the crew will replace four astronauts who have been on the ISS since February. The second Independent piece adds that the mission will conduct science experiments aimed at future Moon and Mars exploration and quotes NASA on the broader benefits of private‑sector collaboration.
What was said
Joshua Kutryk told the Independent, “We feel like some of the luckiest people in the world,” ahead of the launch. NASA said, “During the mission, Crew‑13 is scheduled to conduct a variety of science experiments aimed at advancing research and technology for future missions to the Moon and Mars, while also benefiting humanity back on Earth.”
How it came about
Felo News previously detailed the launch schedule in its live‑coverage guide for Crew‑13 (crew‑13‑live‑coverage). The mission was originally set for late September but was delayed after a leak was discovered in the Dragon capsule’s fuel system, prompting a three‑week repair period before the successful Thursday launch.
Key facts
- Crew‑13 launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Oct. 1, 2026 at 11:10 a.m. EDT. (independent.co.uk)
- The crew consists of Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk and Sergey Teteryatnikov. (independent.co.uk)
- The transit to the ISS is planned to take about eight hours, the fastest for SpaceX. (independent.co.uk)
- Watkins is the first Black woman to command a crewed orbital mission. (independent.co.uk)
- The mission will last six months and include science experiments for Moon and Mars research. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-09-01 — Original Crew‑13 launch date scheduled before leak discovered
- 2026-09-08 — Leak in Dragon capsule’s fuel system identified, launch delayed
- 2026-09-29 — Felo News published live‑coverage schedule for Crew‑13
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk
- [2] independent.co.uk
- [3] fortune.com
