SpaceX Crew-13 Reaches the ISS in Record 7 Hours 55 Minutes After 1 October Launch
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NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 launched four crew members from Florida on 1 October and docked with the ISS in 7 hours 55 minutes, the fastest launch-to-docking by a US spacecraft.
Launch and record docking
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 11:10 a.m. EDT on 1 October from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station [1][3]. Dragon docked to the forward port of the station's Harmony module at 7:05 p.m. EDT [2].
The 7-hour, 55-minute transit was the fastest launch-to-docking of a US spacecraft in the history of the International Space Station, according to NASA [2]. NASA's launch release had projected a flight of about 7 hours and 50 minutes, with docking at approximately 7 p.m. EDT [1]. UPI reported that the hatch between Dragon and the station opened at 9:19 p.m. [3].
Commander Jessica Watkins said after arrival: "It's amazing and kind of ironic to think that it's such a short trip to get here, because the journey to get here has been long." [3]
An international crew
The crew comprises NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins, the commander, and Luke Delaney, the pilot, with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov serving as mission specialists [1][2]. ABC News reported that the mission is the second spaceflight for Watkins and the first for Delaney, Kutryk and Teteryatnikov [4].
Kutryk carried a 100-year-old pocket watch handed down through his Ukrainian Canadian family, ABC News reported [4]. "For me, it's really neat to look at that and reflect on just how much has changed in those 100 years," he said [4].
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said: "Crew-13 is another demonstration of America's unmatched capability in human spaceflight and the strength of our commercial partnerships." [1]
Handover and research plans
Crew-13 joins Expedition 75 members NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina [1]. After a short handover, the Crew-12 mission, comprising NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, is due to return to Earth after seven months aboard the station [1][3]. ABC News reported that Crew-12 could depart as early as 5 October [4].
Crew-13 is expected to spend about six months on the station [3][4]. NASA said the crew's research will include producing tissues derived from human stem cells, crop production with an autonomous plant growth system, studies of blood-flow abnormalities in microgravity and tests of a new diagnostic device for monitoring astronaut health [1]. ABC News reported that the medical work includes research relevant to treatments for heart disease and Parkinson's disease [4].
Sources
[1] NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 Launches to International Space Station — NASA, 1 Oct 2026
[2] Dragon Docks Bringing SpaceX Crew-13 to Station — NASA, 1 Oct 2026
[3] NASA's Crew-13 boards ISS after record-fast flight — UPI, 1 Oct 2026
[4] NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 launches as astronaut brings 100-year-old heirloom on trip — ABC News, 1 Oct 2026