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Jessica Watkins Leads Crew on Quickest US Express Flight to ISS, Sets New Speed Record
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CNBC TV18•02-10-2026, 09:45
Jessica Watkins Leads Crew on Quickest US Express Flight to ISS, Sets New Speed Record
- •Four astronauts, led by commander Jessica Watkins, arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on a record-setting eight-hour express flight, the quickest for any American entity.
- •Watkins, a geologist and veteran astronaut, became the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit, making her second trip to the ISS.
- •The crew includes newcomers Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk (whose wife will give birth during his mission), and Sergey Teteryatnikov, replacing four astronauts who have been at the orbiting laboratory since February.
- •This was SpaceX's 13th crew launch for NASA, with the crew embracing their "Crew-13" designation and carrying good luck charms referencing the number 13.
- •Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk will be the fourth man to become a father while orbiting Earth, with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency providing support for his family.
Key Questions Answered
Jessica Watkins made history by becoming the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit.
The crew completed an eight-hour express flight, setting a U.S. speed record for the quickest transit by an American entity to the International Space Station.
The Crew-13 team is commanded by NASA's Jessica Watkins, joined by pilot Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency colonel Joshua Kutryk, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
