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SpaceX Launches 4 Astronauts to ISS, Including Expectant Father and First Black Woman Commander
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News18•01-10-2026, 21:00
SpaceX Launches 4 Astronauts to ISS, Including Expectant Father and First Black Woman Commander
- •SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on a mission expected to last six months, with a record-fast eight-hour transit.
- •Commander Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit, making her second trip to the ISS.
- •The crew includes newcomers Luke Delaney (NASA), Joshua Kutryk (Canada), and Sergey Teteryatnikov (Russia), replacing astronauts who have been at the orbiting laboratory since February.
- •Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk will become a father for the fourth time while in orbit, with his wife Heather due to give birth in late November.
- •The mission, designated Crew-13, pays homage to Apollo 13, with the crew embracing the "Lucky 13" theme.
Key Questions Answered
The Crew-13 mission is commanded by NASA's Jessica Watkins, alongside newcomers Luke Delaney, Canada's Joshua Kutryk, and Russia's Sergey Teteryatnikov.
The flight to the International Space Station is the quickest yet for SpaceX, featuring a mere eight-hour transit with an arrival well before bedtime.
Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit during this Cape Canaveral liftoff.
