SpaceX Launches 13th Long-Duration Crew to International Space Station

Post by : Saif

SpaceX launched four astronauts toward the International Space Station on Thursday aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, beginning the 13th long-duration crew mission sent to the orbital laboratory using a SpaceX launch vehicle.

The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.

Falcon 9 Carries Four-Person Crew

The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket launched with an autonomously operated Crew Dragon capsule carrying the four-member team.

The rocket's nine Merlin engines powered the vehicle away from the launch pad. About three minutes after liftoff, the reusable first-stage booster separated and returned to Earth for a landing.

The upper stage continued its climb before releasing the Crew Dragon into orbit.

SpaceX mission control confirmed the capsule's separation and welcomed the crew to orbit.

Crew Dragon Heads to Space Station

After reaching orbit, the Crew Dragon began an approximately eight-hour journey toward the International Space Station.

The spacecraft was scheduled to dock with the station at an altitude of about 250 miles, or 400 kilometres, above Earth.

The four astronauts will join seven people already living aboard the orbital outpost, including the four members of the previous long-duration crew who are expected to return to Earth after completing a mission lasting more than seven months.

Crew Members Begin Space Missions

Watkins, a 38-year-old geologist-turned-astronaut, is leading the mission. The flight marks her second journey into space and makes her the first NASA astronaut to fly twice aboard a Crew Dragon.

Delaney, 47, is serving as pilot. The former test and fighter pilot is making his first spaceflight.

Kutryk, 44, and Teteryatnikov, 37, are mission specialists and are also making their spaceflight debuts.

Kutryk previously worked as a test and fighter pilot, while Teteryatnikov is an engineer with experience involving submarine operations.

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Mission Focuses on Human Health

The new crew will conduct scientific research focused on how humans respond to extended periods in space.

The mission includes studies of how microgravity affects blood circulation and blood clotting. Researchers will also collect health and performance data that could help prepare astronauts for future missions.

Such research is important for longer human spaceflight missions, where maintaining astronaut health becomes increasingly challenging.

SpaceX Expands Role in Human Spaceflight

The mission marks the 13th long-duration space station crew launched by NASA using a SpaceX vehicle since the company began carrying US astronauts into orbit in 2020.

The launch follows another major SpaceX milestone. Days earlier, the company's Starship spacecraft completed its 14th uncrewed test flight and reached orbit while deploying a commercial satellite for the first time.

The International Space Station has continuously hosted people for more than two decades. The orbiting laboratory is operated through cooperation involving the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan and European partners, with NASA planning to support operations through 2030.

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