2026-10-01T17:18:25.118Z
NASA discusses SpaceX Crew-13 launch
NASA’s press conference on SpaceX’s successful launch of the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station. You can watch it in the window at the top of this page.
As a reminder, here’s who are speaking today:
NASA Administrator Jared IsaacmanDr. Lori Glaze, associate administrator, Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, NASA HeadquartersDana Weigel, manager, Low Earth Orbit Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in HoustonMathieu Caron, director, Astronauts, Life Sciences, and Space Medicine, CSAJulianna Scheiman, director, NASA Science and Dragon Programs, SpaceX
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T16:11:37.734Z
NASA, SpaceX to hold Crew-13 post-launch briefing @ 1:10 pm ET
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(Image credit: Space.com/Josh Dinner/Future)
(Image credit: Space.com/Josh Dinner/Future)
(Image credit: Space.com/Josh Dinner/Future)
(Image credit: Space.com/Josh Dinner/Future)
With the succesful launch of NASA’s Crew-13 astronauts on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule, NASA and SpaceX are now preparing to hold a post-launch press briefing. However, the timing has changed. While we wait, check out the amazing Crew-13 launch photos and Falcon 9 landing view from Space.com’s Josh Dinner! You can see video of the launch at the top of this page, too.
SpaceX and NASA will now hold the press conference at 1:10 p.m. EDT (1810 GMT), about 25 minutes later than planned. You’ll be able to watch it live here at start time. Here’s a look at who will be speaking during the briefing:
We’ll be back at 1 p.m. ET for the briefing and thanks for tuning in!
NASA Administrator Jared IsaacmanDr. Lori Glaze, associate administrator, Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, NASA HeadquartersDana Weigel, manager, Low Earth Orbit Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in HoustonMathieu Caron, director, Astronauts, Life Sciences, and Space Medicine, CSAJulianna Scheiman, director, NASA Science and Dragon Programs, SpaceX
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T15:17:38.807Z
Touchdown! SpaceX Crew-13 reaches orbit, Falcon 9 lands
(Image credit: NASA)
Touchdown! SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first stage successfully landed after a smooth launch of the Crew-13 astronauts on Crew Dragon.
It landed at SpaceX’s Pad 40 at Space Launch Complex 40 of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Just minutes after the booster landing, the Falcon 9 upper stage shut its engine down after reaching orbit. The Crew Dragon Grace carrying Crew-13 separated shortly after.
“Luke, Josh, Sergey, welcome to orbit. On behalf of the entire team, we thank you for flying SpaceX today,” SpaceX radioed to the crew.
(Image credit: NASA)
“Thanks for an amazing ride,” Crew-13 commander Jessica Watkins said. “They say that courage is grace under pressure, and the incredible teams that got us to orbit today truly embody that. Thank you for your hard work, perseverance, and courageous commitment to ensuring Grace was ready and safe to fly, we carry with us on this journey all of you who have supported us along the way, and we hope to make you proud.”
Coming up next, the Crew Dragon Grace will open its nosecone to expose its docking port.
NASA will also hold a post-launch press conference at 12:45 p.m. EDT (1745 GMT),which we will carry live on this page.
Crew-13 is scheduled to dock at the ISS at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT), with live coverage beginning at about 5:20 p.m. EDT (2120 GMT).
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T15:16:27.876Z
Stage separation! Falcon 9 1st stage returning to Earth
(Image credit: NASA)
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully separated its first stage, which executed a boost back burn for a landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The second stage ignited as planned as Crew-13 heads toward orbit.
“Dragon copies, nominal trajectory,” Crew-13 Watkins said.
Coming up will be booster landing for the first stage.
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T15:03:13.582Z
SpaceX, NASA on track for Crew-13 launch
SpaceX is now less than 10 minutes away from today’s planned Crew-13 astronaut launch to the International Space Station. All systems on the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon vehicle.
Weather is currently “go” for launch, but it is “dynamic” as SpaceX’s Jessie Anderson just put it in the livestream (which you can watch here).
“On behalf of Luke, Josh, Sergey, and myself, thank you to the dedicated teams at NASA, SpaceX, CSA, and Roscosmos, who come together every day to make the impossible look easy, the extraordinary look routine, and the future of exploration look bright,” Crew-13 commander Jessica Watkins said. “To our families and friends, we wouldn’t be here today without your love, support, and sacrifice. Human spaceflight is truly a team sport, and it is an honor and a privilege to represent all of you who have contributed to the success of this mission. With gratitude and grace, Crew-13 is ready to fly.”
Today’s launch will kick off an 8-hour trip to the ISS, which is pretty fast for a SpaceX mission. Our next update will come with liftoff!
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T14:38:31.388Z
SpaceX fuels Falcon 9 rocket for astronaut launch
SpaceX has begun fueling the Falcon 9 rocket for today’s Crew-13 launch. Liftoff remains targeted for 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT), though weather continues to be a concern.
Falcon 9 rockets use a rocket-grade RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen for propellant. SpaceX uses a late load, fast fill fueing process to fuel its rockets.
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T14:32:19.685Z
SpaceX retracts Crew Access Arm for Crew-13 launch
(Image credit: NASA)
SpaceX has successfully retracted the sleek black and white Crew Access Arm from the Crew Dragon Grace capsule in another step closer to today’s planned Crew-13 launch at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT).
Inside the Dragon capsule, the four Crew-13 astronauts have closed their spacesuit visors and armed the launch escape system.
SpaceX is preparing to begin the fueling process for today’s launch. The company uses a “fast-fill” process to load fuel close to liftoff.
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T14:16:20.348Z
SpaceX, NASA ‘GO’ for Crew-13 launch
NASA and SpaceX are officially 1 hour away from today’s 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) launch of the Crew-13 astronaut flight to the ISS for NASA.
Flight controllers at SpaceX’s launch control just gave the “GO” for launch after a readiness poll.
All systems are go on the Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-13’s Dragon spacecraft, named Grace. But NASA is watching the weather.
At the start of today’s launch attempt, NASA is now expecting a 60% chance of good weather at launch time.
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T14:11:27.536Z
NASA chief Jared Isaacman bids Crew-13 a safe launch
NASA chief Jared Isaacman has popped into to the agency’s launch webcast for SpaceX’s Crew-13 launch. Isaacman met with Crew-13 commander Jessica Watkins, pilot Luke Delaney and mission specialists Joshua Kutryk and Sergey Teteryatnikov before they walked out of their crew quarters, where he wished them a good flight.
Watkins NASA’s first astronaut to fly on a Dragon twice. The rest of the Crew-13 crew are making their first career spaceflight.
Before becoming NASA Administrator, Isaacman flew on a Crew Dragon twice as part of his Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn private SpaceX missions. He said that second flight on Dragon brings opportunities.
“The nice thing about when you’re when you’re going up twice, you’re generally familiar with all of the sounds and all the sensations, and you’re able to stay ahead of the rocket,” Isaacman said during the livewebcast. “And as a result, you you have more time available to look at the expressions on your on your crewmates to hear them, the joy that they’re having for their first experience. That was honestly what I was looking forward to most when we made it on orbit was to see the on my second trip to see the reactions on all my my crew members face as they realize that they have arrived.”
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T13:21:48.229Z
Crew-13 astronauts board SpaceX Dragon for launch, hatch closed
(Image credit: NASA)
The four astronauts of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 launch to the International Space Station have boarded their Crew Dragon Grace spacecraft as the countdown continues for today’s launch.
SpaceX’s closeout crew has closed the hatch to the Dragon spacecraft after completing a series of communication checks.
NASA’s livestream has begun and you can watch it live on Space.com.
Liftoff remains on target at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT).
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com
2026-10-01T11:48:39.412Z
Astronauts head to launch pad
From left: Roscosmos’ Sergey Teteryatnikov, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk. (Image credit: SpaceX)
The sun rose on the Space Coast this morning, but was blocked from view for many by widespread cloud cover and rain. Launch conditions have lessened slightly since yesterday, with a current 60% chance of weather violation at launch time.
Despite the weather, NASA is proceeding toward the targeted 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) liftoff of the SpaceX Faclon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft with the astronauts of Crew-13.
The crew donned their spacesuits this morning inside the operations and checkout facility here at the Kennedy Space Center, and departed for Launch Complex-40 at approximately 7:45 a.m. EDT (1145 GMT).
It’s launch day!Weather officials predict a 40% chance of favorable conditions at Launch Complex 40 for the liftoff of a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-13 to the @Space_Station.Launch is 11:10am ET.Live updates here: https://t.co/X4XmPe2n25 pic.twitter.com/tBhhnSCFATOctober 1, 2026
Josh Dinner
Spaceflight Writer
2026-09-30T23:03:53.210Z
Crew-13 is ‘go’ for launch!
(Image credit: SpaceX)
SpaceX’s Crew-13 astronaut mission for NASA is “go” for its planned Thursday (Oct. 1) launch toward the International Space Station, agency officials announced during a press conference this evening (Sept. 30). If all goes to plan, a Falcon 9 rocket will send SpaceX‘s Crew Dragon capsule “Grace” toward the orbiting lab at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) from Florida’s Space Coast.
But the weather will have to cooperate as well, and that’s far from guaranteed. The latest forecasts call for a 45% chance of a weather violation, which means a 55% change of conditions good enough to allow a launch.
If Crew-13 does scrub tomorrow, the next launch opportunity will come Friday (Oct. 2) at 10:47 a.m. EDT (1447 GMT). Whenever the mission lifts off, you can watch it here at Space.com
2026-09-30T16:27:16.147Z
SpaceX, NASA 1 day away from Crew-13 launch after delays
(Image credit: SpaceX)
SpaceX and NASA are T-1 day and counting until the launch of their SpaceX Crew-13 astronaut crew to the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) on Thursday, Oct. 1, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Check out our “What time is SpaceX’s Crew-13 astronaut launch guide” if you’re looking for details on when and how to watch the launch live.
At 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT), NASA and SpaceX will hold a prelaunch press conference, which you’ll be able to watch here.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 Prelaunch News Conference (Sept. 30, 2026) – YouTube
Crew-13 will launch NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney and crewmates Josh Kutryk ( of Canada) and Sergey Teteryatnikov (of Russia) on a six-month mission to the International Space Station. They will join three core members of the station’s Expedition 75 crew, already aboard the station, as well as the four soon-to-depart meembers of NASA’s Crew-12 astronauts, who will soon return to Earth on their own SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Weather trackers are forecasting a 60% chance of good conditions for Thursday’s launch, according to NASA.
The four Crew-13 astronauts successfully performed a dress rehearsal for launch day on Tuesday (Sept. 29), setting the stage for Thursday’s liftoff.
Space.com will provide live coverage of SpaceX’s Crew-13 launch, from liftoff to docking, on Oct. 1, with coverage coming in from our entire team, including Spaceflight Writer Josh Dinner, who is at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in person. Be sure to tune in!
Tariq Malik
Editor-in-Chief, Space.com