SpaceX Crew-13 Launched to International Space Station
The mission marks the first time a NASA astronaut has launched twice on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Space
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NASA has launched the SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station. The mission carries a crew of four astronauts.
Why it matters
The flight marks an operational milestone for commercial crew transport, as Commander Jessica Watkins becomes the first NASA astronaut to launch twice aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Commander Jessica Watkins previously completed a 170-day mission aboard the International Space Station in 2022. This flight represents her second launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
The players
Jessica Watkins
The mission commander and former researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017.
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the civil space program and human spaceflight operations.
SpaceX
A private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company that provides the Dragon spacecraft for crew rotation missions.
The details
The Crew-13 mission utilizes a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, a reusable capsule designed to ferry crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit. During this mission, the four-person crew will execute a schedule of research, technology demonstrations, and station maintenance. These activities are essential for sustaining the long-term viability of the orbital laboratory.
Timeline
2017: Jessica Watkins was selected as a NASA astronaut.
2022: Watkins completed her first 170-day mission in space.
October 5, 2026: The SpaceX Crew-13 mission launched to the International Space Station.
The Tech Race
The mission follows a long-standing pattern of crew rotations required to maintain continuous operations at the International Space Station. This flight demonstrates the maturation of the commercial transport model for long-duration orbital research.
The crew will spend their mission duration performing technology demonstrations and maintenance on station hardware. These updates are intended to extend the functional life of systems used for long-term space research.
The takeaway
The successful launch highlights the increasing frequency of commercial crew flights to low-Earth orbit. Observers can monitor the mission's progress through ongoing NASA status updates regarding the crew's research objectives.
Further reading
For more on the latest orbital research missions, visit the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Now.
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