Crew-13 Launches Oct. 1 for Record-Breaking ISS Transit

Key points

• Launch is scheduled for October 1 at 11:10 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
• The crew includes Jessica Watkins (commander), Luke Delaney (pilot), Joshua Kutryk (CSA), and Sergey Teteryatnikov (Roscosmos).
• The mission is expected to reach the ISS in 7 hours and 50 minutes, setting a new record for US spacecraft transit time.
• Crew-13 will relieve the Crew-12 team, who recently dealt with an air leak on the station.
• The launch follows a delay from September due to an oxidizer leak in the Dragon spacecraft.

Background

Crew-13 was originally scheduled for September 12 but was delayed due to an oxidizer leak in the Dragon spacecraft. The mission is part of NASA's broader efforts to prepare for lunar exploration, including the Artemis III mission planned for 2027. The crew will join Expedition 75, conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations.

How outlets are covering it

Engadget emphasizes the record-breaking nature of the transit and the diverse backgrounds of the crew, including Watkins' previous role on the Curiosity rover team. NASA's official release focuses on the formal 'go' decision from the Launch Readiness Review and the specific docking time at the Harmony module. ScienceDaily highlights the technical details of the docking process and the crew's quarantine status prior to launch. All sources agree on the launch time and the record-setting transit duration, but differ in their emphasis on the mission's broader significance within NASA's lunar exploration goals.

Why it matters

The successful launch of Crew-13 demonstrates the reliability of the Commercial Crew Program and sets a new benchmark for transit times to the ISS. It also marks a significant step in preparing for future deep space missions, as the crew will conduct experiments designed to support lunar and Mars exploration. The mission's success is crucial for maintaining the continuous human presence on the ISS and advancing NASA's Artemis program.

What to watch

The crew will dock with the ISS at the Harmony module around 8 p.m. EDT on October 1. They will then relieve the Crew-12 team and begin their long-duration mission as part of Expedition 75. NASA plans to test lunar landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX during the Artemis III mission in 2027, with a lunar landing goal now set for 2028.