SpaceX Crew-13 mission managers and astronauts announced on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, that the next crew, spacecraft, and rocket slated for the International Space Station remain on schedule for a mid-September launch. According to NASA, the flight will lift off no earlier than Sept. 12 from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying four astronauts to the orbiting outpost for a seven-month stay as part of the Expedition 75/76 crew.
Dragon Spacecraft “Grace” Set for Second Flight
The Crew-13 flight marks only the second time astronauts will fly aboard the Dragon spacecraft named “Grace,” according to mission briefings. Commander Jessica Watkins and pilot Luke Delaney of NASA, alongside mission specialist Josh Kutryk of the Canadian Space Agency and mission specialist Sergey Teteryatnikov of Russia’s Roscosmos, make up the flight roster. Watkins, who is the sole crew member with prior spaceflight experience, will become the first active NASA astronaut to fly on a Dragon capsule twice.
“We expect a very busy mission with lots of station maintenance, both internal and external, with a few EVAs on the docket,” Watkins said during the pre-flight press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Dana Weigel, NASA’s manager for its low Earth orbit program, confirmed that final integration of the Dragon capsule is complete, with the vehicle stacked on its trunk the week prior to the announcement.
Hardware Updates: Tesla Cybertrucks and Metal Mud Flaps
For this campaign, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster will undergo maintenance starting in August, utilizing the same booster that flew on the previous Crew-12 mission, according to NASA. Ground operations will also introduce a major logistical shift: emergency launch pad evacuations will now utilize Tesla Cybertrucks operated by SpaceX, replacing prior vehicles to reduce scheduling conflicts during concurrent crewed launch windows.
“There was a lot of certification that had to go into making sure those Cybertrucks would start up with a gloved hand,” said Richard Jones, deputy program manager of NASA’s commercial crew program. Jones noted that egress tests with bulky suits were successfully completed. Additionally, the “Grace” spacecraft features new metal “mud flaps” on its Draco abort thrusters, replacing earlier carbon fiber versions.
Did you know? Crew-13 mission specialist Josh Kutryk is the fourth Canadian to serve on an ISS crew and the second from his country to fly in 2026, following Jeremy Hansen’s Artemis II lunar mission in April.
Scientific Research and Medical Testing on Station
Once docked on the day following launch, the Crew-13 members will spend seven months conducting advanced investigations. According to mission outlines, the research portfolio includes studying human stem cell-derived tissues to combat heart disease and Parkinson’s disease. Crew members will also test new diagnostic medical gear, examine blood flow abnormalities common on extended spaceflights, and evaluate crop production techniques intended to support long-duration exploration.
“Every time we do a human spaceflight mission, it gives us an opportunity to strengthen our understanding of low Earth orbit,” said Joel Montalbano, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for human spaceflight. Ahead of the flight, the crew is scheduled to don their upgraded SpaceX “Rev. 3” pressure suits on Friday, Aug. 7, to complete a dry-run boarding of “Grace” for muscle memory training and pre-flight familiarization.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the SpaceX Crew-13 launch scheduled?
The mission is scheduled to lift off no earlier than Sept. 12 from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Who is commanding the Crew-13 mission?
NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins serves as the commander of the Crew-13 mission.
What spacecraft will transport the astronauts?
The crew will fly aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named “Grace” atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
How long will the Crew-13 mission last?
The astronauts will spend approximately seven months on the International Space Station as part of the Expedition 75/76 crew.
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