SpaceX Launches Crew-13 to the International Space Station for Human Health Research

A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Thursday carrying two US astronauts, a Canadian astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut to the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon capsule, which flies autonomously, is on an eight hour trip and is set to dock around 7 p.m. EDT, roughly 250 miles above Earth. The first stage booster separated within three minutes and flew itself back for a landing.

Geologist turned-astronaut Jessica Watkins, 38, leads the mission and becomes the first NASA astronaut to fly twice aboard a Crew Dragon. Luke Delaney, 47, a former test and fighter pilot, sits in the pilot’s seat on his first spaceflight. Mission specialists Joshua Kutryk, 44, of the Canadian Space Agency, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, 37, an engineer who specialized in submarine operations, are also rookies.

ISS Science Mission on Human Health

The crew will run biomedical and human performance studies, including how microgravity affects blood circulation and clotting, and collect health data for future missions. They will be welcomed by seven current occupants, including the four members of Crew 12, who return to Earth soon after a mission of more than seven months.

SpaceX Milestones and ISS Future

This is the 13th long duration crew NASA has flown on a SpaceX vehicle since May 2020. The company went public in a record-breaking IPO in July, and days ago launched its next generation Starship on its first trip to orbit, the vehicle’s 14th uncrewed test flight. NASA says it is committed to operating the station through 2030.