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SpaceX Crew-13 Docks in Record 7 Hours, 55 Minutes

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 6:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station on Oct. 1, 2026.
NASA said the flight set the fastest U.S. launch-to-docking record, docking 7 hours 55 minutes after liftoff.
The crew comprised commander Jessica Watkins, pilot Luke Delaney, and mission specialists Joshua Kutryk and Sergey Teteryantnikov.
Research includes stem-cell tissue studies for heart disease and Parkinson’s, crop experiments, blood-flow analysis, and health diagnostics.

History

Historical Context

In June 1998 Discovery performed the Shuttle-Mir docking (STS-91), the last Phase 1 mission that proved U.S.–Russian crew-transfer procedures. That experience enabled Discovery’s first International Space Station docking on 27 May 1999 (STS-96), establishing a permanent U.S. presence. Today NASA’s Crew-13 flight with SpaceX repeats the milestone, achieving a 7-hour-55-minute launch-to-docking, dramatically speeding crew turnover.

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Story summary

NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station on Oct. 1, 2026.
NASA said the flight set the fastest U.S. launch-to-docking record, docking 7 hours 55 minutes after liftoff.
The crew comprised commander Jessica Watkins, pilot Luke Delaney, and mission specialists Joshua Kutryk and Sergey Teteryantnikov.
Research includes stem-cell tissue studies for heart disease and Parkinson’s, crop experiments, blood-flow analysis, and health diagnostics.

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