NASA has announced the four-member crew for its upcoming SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, with liftoff now targeted for no earlier than mid-September.
The crew features NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins as commander and Luke Delaney as pilot, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov as mission specialists.
NASA said the earlier launch timeline moved up from November p
is aimed at boosting the frequency of U.S. crew rotation missions under its Commercial Crew Program.
Watkins, on her second spaceflight, is set to make history as “the first NASA astronaut to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft twice.” She previously spent 170 days in orbit during Crew-4 in 2022.
For Delaney, Kutryk, and Teteryatnikov, the mission marks their first trip to space. Delaney brings experience as a naval aviator and test pilot, Kutryk as a seasoned fighter and experimental pilot, while Teteryatnikov transitions from naval engineering roles into human spaceflight.
Once docked, the crew will join Expedition 75, carrying out experiments and technology demonstrations designed to support future missions to the Moon and Mars, while delivering benefits back on Earth.
NASA noted that for over 25 years, astronauts aboard the ISS have continuously advanced research “that aren’t possible on Earth,” helping pave the way for long-duration exploration and expanding commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit.
