Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-29-2026 08:28 PM
Please use this topic to discuss SpaceX's Crew Dragon Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-29-2026 08:32 PM
NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of Crew-13 from Sept. 12, 2026, to address an oxidizer leak on Crew Dragon Grace's propulsion system, which was detected during the spacecraft's processing.
Joint NASA and SpaceX teams are performing additional tests and data review and will complete any necessary rework prior to launch. A new target date will be announced once available.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-16-2026 11:00 AM
NASA and SpaceX are now targeting as soon as early October for the launch of the Crew-13 mission to allow for completion of prelaunch activities, readiness reviews, and coordination of space station operations.
The team successfully replaced an oxidizer valve in Dragon's propulsion system after a leak was detected earlier in processing.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-22-2026 05:12 PM
NASA and SpaceX are now targeting 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) on Thursday, Oct. 1 as the earliest launch opportunity for the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station.
SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, and Falcon 9 rocket are ready for liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
For an Oct. 1 launch, Crew-13 will arrive at the orbiting laboratory less than 9 hours later, with docking planned about 8 p.m. EDT to the forward-facing port of the Harmony module.
The crew is in quarantine at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston and will travel to NASA Kennedy on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-26-2026 10:47 AM
NASA video
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov will arrive Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for their mission to the International Space Station.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-30-2026 12:27 PM
Launch weather officers with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's 45th Weather Squadron predict a 55% chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch of Crew-13 at 11:10 a.m. EDT on Thursday (Oct. 1). From NASA:
A ridge of high pressure over the Mid‑Atlantic is directing warm, moist air across Florida, producing scattered showers and mid‑level clouds that could impact Crew‑13's launch, with the timing and placement of these disturbances still uncertain.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-30-2026 05:48 PM
NASA video
Mission experts give a preview of NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station ahead of its launch.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 08:00 AM
NASA video
NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov are lifting off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to spend several months living, working, and conducting scientific research in low Earth orbit.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 UTC) on Thursday, Oct. 1. The four members of Crew-13 will arrive at the space station later that day.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 08:12 AM
Per SpaceX, teams are keeping an eye on weather, which is currently 40% favorable for liftoff.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 08:18 AM
The custom license plates for the SpaceX Tesla Model X crew transport vehicles that brought the Crew-13 astronauts to the launch pad read "LUCKY 13," rejecting triskaidekaphobia. This is NASA's first "13th" mission since Apollo 13 in April 1970.
Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 10:34 AM
The Crew-13 astronauts aboard Crew Dragon "Grace" are now on their way to the International Space Station!
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 623 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 10-01-2026 11:33 AM
Why is NASA and SpaceX reaching to the ISS in less than a day, unlike on other Dragon flights with longer rendezvous periods?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 12:02 PM
This was explained during the pre-launch press conference. From Dana Weigel, manager, Low Earth Orbit Program, NASA Johnson:
In general, how quick we can get to the space station is a function of where the space station is when we launch.
From Bill Gerstenmaier, vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX:
What is unique [about this flight] is the phasing or angle separation between the space station and Dragon is very, very close. And this is just, essentially, orbital mechanics [that] got us in the right place. There was a recent orbit adjustment maneuver done by the space station and then that kind of set things up and we got lucky that they lined up and worked out extremely well.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 12:35 PM
NASA video
After the successful launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission, leaders discuss the mission and answer questions from media.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-01-2026 04:00 PM
NASA video
Watch as four explorers arrive at the International Space Station.
Crew-13's spacecraft is scheduled to dock at the orbiting lab at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 UTC), with hatches opening at about 8:45 p.m. EDT (0045 UTC Oct. 2). The crew will also give welcome remarks around 9:20 p.m. EDT (0120 UTC Oct. 2).
issman1 Member
Posts: 1246 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 10-02-2026 10:30 AM
What happened to Crew-13 pilot Delaney shortly after boarding ISS? Both he and Expedition 75 crewman Menon were absent for the welcoming ceremony.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57159 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-02-2026 10:50 AM
It seemed he wasn't feeling well and Menon was tending to him.
Usually, the rendezvous period is longer, allowing time for the arriving crew to adapt to microgravity during the transit.
It also perhaps explains why there was no view of the zero-g indicator or as many interior Dragon views as on past flights.
posted 08-29-2026 08:28 PM
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