> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://proximareport.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Falcon 9 Sends Four Astronauts to Orbit for NASA's Crew-13 Mission - URL: https://proximareport.com/articles/falcon-9-crew-13/ - Published: 2026-10-01T15:36:10.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-01T15:36:10.000Z - Author: Jack C. - Tags: Astronauts, ISS, United States, SpaceX, NASA Soaring from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida, Falcon 9 departed Earth at 15:10 pm Universal Coordinated Time on October 1st, carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, alongside Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk and cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, into space aboard Crew Dragon. Almost three minutes after launch, the second-stage separated from the booster to chase the International Space Station. Ten minutes on from launch, Crew Dragon was released from Falcon 9's second-stage after its targeted orbit was achieved. Currently flying free, the Crew-13 astronauts are expected to arrive at the Harmony module's forward docking port [around eight hours](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/crew-13-10-1-launch-revc.pdf?emrc=7bd7b7&ref=proximareport.com) after launch. If performed as planned, that would be the fastest time a U.S. crewed spacecraft flies to the International Space Station. Entering the station will take place a few hours after docking. Upon reaching the space station, Watkins, Delaney, Kutryk, and Teteryatnikov should spend six months supporting research experiments and innovative science in microgravity. Their mission will end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean around April 2027\. Keeping the four astronauts safe during their launch and time onboard the International Space Station is Crew Dragon 'Grace'. The spacecraft has previously spent 20 days in orbit for the [Axiom-4 mission](https://proximareport.com/articles/axiom-4-iss/) in mid-2025\. > Falcon 9 lands at LZ-40! [pic.twitter.com/BSygjZ47oZ](https://t.co/BSygjZ47oZ?ref=proximareport.com) > > — SpaceX (@SpaceX) [October 1, 2026](https://x.com/SpaceX/status/2105678927179985373?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=proximareport.com) Supporting the launch of Crew-13 was booster B1101, performing its third flight, previously having enabled the liftoff of [Crew-12 in February](https://proximareport.com/articles/crew-12-liftoff/) and the Starlink Group 6-88 mission in January. B1101 touched down at Landing Zone 40, next to where it lifted off from, after performing its part of the launch. Originally, Crew-13 was expected to head to the International Space Station in September. The mission was delayed for a few weeks due to [an oxidizer leak](https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2026/08/29/nasa-spacex-adjust-crew-13-launch-date/?ref=proximareport.com) being found on Crew Dragon 'Grace'. That issue was resolved, and the decision for the mission to go ahead, by [late September](https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2026/09/22/nasa-spacex-move-to-final-crew-13-prelaunch-prep-for-oct-1-liftoff/?ref=proximareport.com). ### Who's onboard? ![Jessica Watkins (left), Luke Delaney (center left), Sergey Teteryatnikov (center right), and Joshua Kutryk (right) during training to use Crew Dragon. ©SpaceX](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/15/c115fdad-529f-4ea1-9d82-260375a868a5/content/images/2026/09/55446302533_9f41a2bd88_4k.jpg) Jessica Watkins (left), Luke Delaney (center left), Sergey Teteryatnikov (center right), and Joshua Kutryk (right) during training to use Crew Dragon. ©SpaceX [**Jessica Watkins**](https://www.nasa.gov/people/jessica-watkins/?ref=proximareport.com), from the United States, is Crew-13's Commander for her second spaceflight, and to the International Space Station. She has previously spent 170 days aboard the station for the Crew-4 mission, serving as a mission specialist, from April to October 2022\. [**Luke Delaney**](https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-luke-delaney/?ref=proximareport.com), also from the United States, is Crew-13's Pilot for his first trip into space. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021\. Before that, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998, where he flew forty-eight types of aircraft. Since joining NASA, he has accumulated 3,900 flight hours. [**Joshua Kutryk**](https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/canadian/active/bio-joshua-kutryk.asp?ref=proximareport.com), from Canada, is one of Crew-13's Mission Specialists as his first mission to space. He was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2017 as an astronaut, spending several years moving between training assignments. Before selection, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 2007, where he flew over forty aircraft types for over 4,000 hours. [**Sergey Teteryatnikov**](https://www.gctc.ru/print.php?id=6331&ref=proximareport.com), from Russia, is Crew-13's other Mission Specialist for his first spaceflight. Roscosmos selected him as a cosmonaut in 2021\. Prior to that, he served in the Russian Navy, aboard surface vessels and submarines. --- ### What is Crew Dragon? Crew Dragon, or Dragon 2, is a partially reusable spacecraft developed by SpaceX. The primary use for Crew Dragon is to send crew to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX also performs free-flight missions with the spacecraft. Crew Dragon consists of the capsule and trunk. The trunk is used to store unpressurized cargo as well as to have solar panels mounted on one side, to generate power, and radiators on the other, to dissipate heat generated inside. The trunk is not reused and burns up in the atmosphere after each mission. The capsule is where the crew is during launch, landing, and while on their way to space. Unlike the original Dragon capsule, the Crew Dragon capsule has a launch abort system consisting of eight SuperDraco engines. This abort system [can also](https://x.com/dpoddolphinpro/status/1839785424618697197?ref=cosmic-nxws.ghost.io) be used to bring the capsule to a soft touchdown in the event of four parachute failures. The capsule also has a nosecone that will fold out of the way in space to protect the docking hardware and forward-facing thrusters during launch and landing. The forward-facing thrusters are the main propulsion system for performing maneuvers while in flight. Up to four parachutes will deploy from the capsule during descent to allow it to splash down for recovery. Crew Dragon was developed as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program to regain crew access to the International Space Station from the United States of America after the retirement of the Space Shuttle. SpaceX currently has five active Crew Dragon capsules: Endeavour, Resilience, Endurance, Freedom, and Grace.