Brief
SpaceX crew led by Jessica Watkins sets US speed record to ISS
Jessica Watkins and three international astronauts reached the ISS in the fastest U.S. crewed flight to date.
By Felo News Desk · Published
SpaceX launched a four‑person crew from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, achieving an eight‑hour transit to the International Space Station that the Guardian says set a U.S. speed record. The mission was commanded by Jessica Watkins, making her the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit.
Watkins, a geologist who previously worked on NASA’s Curiosity rover, was joined by NASA marine veteran Luke Delaney, Canadian Royal Air Force colonel Joshua Kutryk, and Russian former submariner Sergey Teteryatnikov. The launch followed a three‑week delay to repair a fuel‑system leak in the Dragon capsule, and thick clouds threatened the countdown before clearing for liftoff.
After liftoff, Watkins radioed, “Thanks for an amazing ride.” The crew will stay on the ISS for six months, replacing the previous quartet that has been aboard since February. The Guardian notes the flight was the quickest ever for any American entity, including NASA, thanks to the station’s favorable position at launch time.
Additional details highlighted by the report include the crew’s personal touches: the astronauts rode to the pad in black Teslas labeled “Lucky 13,” and they brought a crocheted golden dragon named Lucky with a four‑leaf clover. Watkins said from orbit that they felt “four of the luckiest humans on or off planet Earth.” Heather Kutryk, Joshua’s wife, is due to give birth while he is in orbit, making him the fourth man to become a father while in space.
Key facts
- SpaceX crew reached the ISS in eight hours, a U.S. speed record. (theguardian.com)
- Jessica Watkins is the first Black woman to command a crew to orbit. (theguardian.com)
- Crew members: Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, Sergey Teteryatnikov. (theguardian.com)
- Launch was delayed three weeks to fix a Dragon capsule fuel leak. (theguardian.com)
- Crew will stay on the ISS for six months, replacing a quartet present since February. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “SpaceX flight led by first Black female commander sets US speed record”
