NASA SpaceX Crew-13 Launch Today: Time, Astronauts and How to Watch

NASA and SpaceX are set to send the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) today on October 1, 2026. The mission will take four astronauts and cosmonauts to the orbital laboratory for a prolonged science mission.

NASA currently has a 11:10 a.m. EDT (17:10 UTC) launch time, also from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA's live coverage will start at 9:20 a.m. EDT.

Weather, however, and other mission conditions affect the timing of the launch. The most recent weather forecast from NASA was a 55% chance of good weather in the target launch window.

When is NASA's Crew-13 launch?

The current objective is:

• Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
• Launch time: 11:10 a.m. EDT
• UTC: 3:10 p.m. UTC
• Launch site: Space Launch Complex 40
• Location: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
• Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Spacecraft: SpaceX Dragon

The course is Destination: International Space Station.

The time of the launch for viewers in India is about 8:40 p.m. IST on October 1.

If Thursday's attempt fails, SpaceX has a backup launch date and time on Friday at 10:47 a.m. ET.

Who are the Crew-13 astronauts?

Crew-13 is made up of four astronauts from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and Roscosmos.

Jessica Watkins — Commander

NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins will lead the crew of NASA's third mission to the International Space Station this year.

Luke Delaney — Pilot

NASA astronaut Luke Delaney will be the pilot on the mission.

Joshua Kutryk - Mission Specialist

Mission specialist Joshua Kutryk from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will participate in the mission.

Sergey Teteryatnikov — Mission Specialist

Four-person crew is completed by Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.

NASA names Watkins, Delaney, Kutryk and Teteryatnikov as the four crew members to fly to the ISS for Crew-13.

What is the Crew-13 mission?

The four-person crew aboard the International Space Station will be the Commercial Crew Program's Crew-13 and will be delivered by the NASA Space Station.Crew-13 is included in NASA's Commercial Crew Program and will bring the four-person crew to the International Space Station for a long duration mission.

According to NASA, the mission is referred to as Crew-13, and is the 14th SpaceX astronaut flight to the ISS under the Commercial Crew Program, counting the Demo-2 test flight.

Once the Crew-13 arrives at the ISS, they will welcome the Expedition 75 crew to the station.

If the launch is on schedule, NASA now anticipates a docking to the space station at about 7 p.m. EDT on Oct. 1.

What science will Crew-13 conduct?

The mission can't just be a transportation flight! Astronauts will carry out scientific research and demonstration of technology while on the ISS.

Crew-13 research will feature studies on human health, tissues created from stem cells, heart disease and Parkinson's disease, says NASA.

The crew will also be involved in research on growing crops, blood-flow problems in space and devices that will help monitor an astronaut's health.

The significance of these experiments is that scientists on ISS are able to study biological processes that can exhibit different behaviors in a microgravity environment.

Results might aid medical studies on Earth and help NASA prepare for long duration manned space missions.

Why is Crew-13 important?

Crew-13 is the latest in NASA's ongoing efforts to fly crew on commercial vehicles to low Earth orbit.

The Commercial Crew Program provides companies with funds to develop systems that launch crew to and from the ISS, and NASA leverages the access that companies are able to deliver for science and ISS operations.

The agreement has also enabled NASA to continue its ability to rotate crews on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on a regular basis.

Crew-13 also represents the continued use of reusable launch vehicles and commercial spacecraft in human spaceflight for the rest of the space industry.

What rocket will launch Crew-13?

Crew-13 will be aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a Dragon spacecraft.

The first stage of this mission will separate and land at Spaceport 40 in Cape Canaveral following the mission, according to SpaceX. Previously, the booster has carried out Crew-12 and a Starlink mission, SpaceX says.

SpaceX says the Dragon spacecraft that will support Crew-13 was flown on NASA's Ax-4 mission.

The use of both rocket and spacecraft components for reusability is a key element of SpaceX's current human-spaceflight program.

How to watch NASA SpaceX Crew-13 launch live

NASA will live-stream the mission.

Coverage will begin at 9:20 a.m. EDT with NASA's official live schedule, ahead of the 11:10 a.m. scheduled liftoff. NASA will broadcast the event on NASA+ and other media outlets.

SpaceX will also broadcast live via its website and X account, starting about an hour before the launch.

The planned lift off time by NASA is equivalent to about 8.40 p.m. IST for viewers in India.

Viewers are advised to monitor the launch schedule closely, not just the designated time, as it may change, and therefore, check NASA and SpaceX near the time of the launch.

Weather could affect the launch

At present, one of the most important factors being monitored is weather.

On Sept. 30, NASA reported that the 45th Weather Squadron had predicted a 55 percent chance of good weather on Thursday.

A high pressure ridge was steering warm and moist air across Florida which was causing patchy showers and mid-level clouds that may impact launch weather, NASA said.

The October 1 launch remains planned, but shouldn't be considered a sure bet until the mission meets all its last-minute launch requirements.

What happens after liftoff?

Dragon will be carried into orbit by Falcon 9 after launch.

SpaceX will then execute a series of orbital moves that will gradually bring Dragon closer to the International Space Station, it said.

The spacecraft will set up communications with the station and conduct its final approach and docking before the crew sunports to the orbital complex.

NASA is planning to bring Dragon in to dock with the International Space Station at about 7 p.m. EDT (23:00 GMT), if the launch goes as planned.

What happens if Crew-13 does not launch today?

Weather, technical problems or other mission constraints can cause a launch attempt to be postponed.

SpaceX has now posted an alternate date and time of October 2 at 10:47 a.m. ET.

If the launch schedule changes, NASA will update the information via its Crew-13 mission coverage and official channels.

Conclusion

The SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station is set for launch Oct. 1, 2026, with four crew members onboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which will be carried to orbit by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher.

The mission is important not only for regular crew transportation to the ISS, but also because the crew members will carry out research issues related to the human health, space exploration and future long-duration missions.

The latest tentative start time is 11:10 a.m. EDT (0840 p.m. IST), but weather will be a key consideration. NASA's most recent prediction was that favorable conditions were 55%, so people should watch official NASA and SpaceX updates to be prepared for the upcoming launch.