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No astronauts have launched from the US in 6 months. Crew-13 is next
Confirmed
In Short: NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission is set to launch from Kennedy Space Center, marking the first astronaut launch from the United States in six months.
The Crew-13 mission includes NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos Sergey Teteryatnikov.
Teams are now completing final preparations and readiness reviews to ensure the astronauts, spacecraft, and rocket are ready for the launch.
The Crew-13 astronauts will join Expedition 75 on the International Space Station, where they will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations.
The astronauts are currently in quarantine to avoid contracting or spreading illnesses before the launch.
NASA and SpaceX are working to ensure the safety and success of the mission, with the launch window set for October.
This mission follows a series of challenges, including issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which left two astronauts stranded on the space station for nine months.
The Crew-13 mission will be Watkins' second spaceflight, making her the first NASA astronaut to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft twice.
What this adds
The Crew-13 mission is crucial for resuming regular astronaut launches from the US.
The delay highlights ongoing challenges in spaceflight safety and readiness.
What's confirmed
- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), September 29, 2026 – Four new crew members are preparing to launch to the International Space Station ( ISS International Space Station ) on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission.
- The SpaceX Crew-13 members pose for a portrait in their pressure suits during a preflight training session.
- From L to R: Roscosmos Sergey Teteryatnikov, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk.
- Below are highlights of some projects the Crew-13 astronauts are expected to support.
- In the days before liftoff, teams will complete final preparations and readiness reviews to confirm that the astronauts, the space station, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, and the Falcon 9 rocket are ready for flight.
- Less Than Nine Hours to the Space Station If Crew-13 launches on Oct.
- After arriving at the station, the four astronauts will become members of Expedition 75.
- NASA also said it could not provide a timeline for certifying the spacecraft to carry astronauts again.
- This comes nearly two years after the vehicle’s most recent crewed mission ended with astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station for months.
- NASA and Boeing leaders are expected to discuss Starliner’s development, the spacecraft’s next flight and plans for future crewed missions.
- NASA ultimately determined that Starliner was not safe to use for the astronauts’ return trip.
- As a result, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remained aboard the space station for more than nine months instead of the 10 days originally planned.
What's still developing
- NASA and SpaceX, who jointly operate the mission, said the trouble was an oxidizer leak detected on the propulsion system of the Dragon capsule, which carries the astronauts in orbit following liftoff.
- A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests a backup opportunity is available the next day if the launch were to be postponed.
- The astronauts, who arrived Sept. 26 in Florida, are in the midst of a two-week quarantine process to avoid contracting or spreading illnesses prior to liftoff, according to NASA.
- As of April 1, the four astronauts who traveled around the moon on NASA's historic Artemis II mission were the most recent spacefarers to leave Earth behind following a liftoff in Florida.
- The venture, a joint undertaking between NASA and tech mogul Elon Musk 's SpaceX, will send the next crew of astronauts for a stint at the International Space Station.
- Here's what to know about the Crew-13 mission, including the target launch date and time.
- NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are preparing to return home with Crew-9 after spending an unexpected, nine-month stay in space.
- Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set to return to space in December for an uncrewed test flight as NASA works toward putting astronauts back aboard the capsule.
- NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg is expected to command Starliner’s next crewed mission.
- The test follows problems during Starliner’s 2024 crewed flight, when thruster failures and helium leaks prompted NASA to return the capsule to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
- Due to safety concerns, NASA decided to bring Starliner back to Earth without astronauts while working on a different return plan.
- Keep up with the Crew-13 launch updates by following along on the mission blog, @NASAKennedy on X, or NASA Kennedy on Facebook.