NASA has assigned the SpaceX Crew-13 mission to launch to the ISS in mid-September, carrying four astronauts from three space agencies to join Expedition 75 for research and station duties. The launch has been moved up from November to support more frequent crew rotations and ongoing science in orbit.
Mission Overview and Launch Details for SpaceX Crew-13
The SpaceX Crew-13 mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft designed to safely carry astronauts to low Earth orbit and dock with the International Space Station (ISS). This will be the 13th operational crew rotation between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program, which supports regular astronaut transport to the orbiting laboratory.
After launch, the spacecraft will travel for several hours before docking with the ISS. Once docking is complete, the hatch will open and the Crew-13 astronauts will enter the station to begin their stay as part of Expedition 75, joining ongoing scientific research and daily station operations.
The ISS has been continuously occupied for more than 25 years and acts as a unique laboratory for experiments that cannot be performed on Earth. Regular crew rotations ensure the station remains staffed for research, maintenance, and international collaboration. The mission also contributes to preparing for future space exploration beyond Earth.
Meet the Crew-13 Astronauts and Cosmonaut Assignments
The SpaceX Crew-13 mission will carry four astronauts from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and Roscosmos to the International Space Station (ISS), with each member assigned key mission roles.
NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins will serve as commander on her second spaceflight. She previously flew on NASA’s Crew-4 mission and spent 170 days aboard the ISS. A trained geologist, she has worked on Mars research and NASA’s Curiosity rover team and was selected as an astronaut in 2017.
NASA astronaut Luke Delaney will be the pilot on his first spaceflight. He joined NASA in 2021 and has a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering. He previously worked as a naval aviator, test pilot, and research pilot at NASA’s Langley Research Center.
NASA Clarifies No Emergency on ISS
CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk will serve as a mission specialist on his first mission. He is a former fighter and test pilot with experience in NATO operations and holds advanced degrees in engineering and space studies.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov will also be a mission specialist on his first spaceflight. He trained as a naval engineer and worked on marine systems before joining the cosmonaut corps. Together, the Crew-13 team brings strong expertise in aviation, engineering, and science to support ISS missions.
Scientific Research and Work Aboard the International Space Station
After arrival at the ISS, Crew-13 will join Expedition 75 and begin supporting ongoing scientific experiments and station operations. The International Space Station serves as a unique laboratory where astronauts study how space affects the human body, physical materials, and advanced technologies.
Crew members will take part in scientific investigations focused on preparing humans for long-duration missions beyond Earth. These include research relevant to future missions to the Moon and Mars. Scientists on Earth use data from the ISS to understand how spaceflight impacts muscle strength, bone health, and human adaptation to microgravity.
The crew will also participate in technology demonstration projects. These tests help engineers develop and refine systems that may be used in future spacecraft, space habitats, and exploration vehicles. Some experiments are designed to improve life support systems, while others focus on communication, robotics, and advanced materials.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon prepares for his first mission to the International Space Station
The ISS also supports research that benefits daily life on Earth. Experiments conducted in microgravity have contributed to medical advancements, improved manufacturing techniques, and better understanding of environmental systems.
For more than two decades, international crews have continuously lived and worked on the station. Each new mission, including Crew-13, builds on this long history of collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, CSA, and Roscosmos, keeping the ISS active as a global research hub in space.
