SpaceX will launch its next astronaut crew for NASA, the Crew-13 mission, no earlier than 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 on a mission to the International Space Station.
Four Crew-13 astronauts will launch to the ISS on a Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon Grace spacecraft to begin a six-month mission in orbit. They will dock at the ISS about 8 hours after liftoff. You can watch the mission live here and see our complete coverage with countdown and docking updates.
Astronauts head to launch pad
The sun rose on the Space Coast this morning, but was blocked from view for many by widespread cloud cover and rain. Launch conditions have lessened slightly since yesterday, with a current 60% chance of weather violation at launch time.
Despite the weather, NASA is proceeding toward the targeted 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) liftoff of the SpaceX Faclon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft with the astronauts of Crew-13.
The crew donned their spacesuits this morning inside the operations and checkout facility here at the Kennedy Space Center, and departed for Launch Complex-40 at approximately 7:45 a.m. EDT (1145 GMT).
It's launch day!Weather officials predict a 40% chance of favorable conditions at Launch Complex 40 for the liftoff of a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-13 to the @Space_Station.Launch is 11:10am ET.Live updates here: https://t.co/X4XmPe2n25 pic.twitter.com/tBhhnSCFATOctober 1, 2026
Crew-13 is 'go' for launch!
SpaceX's Crew-13 astronaut mission for NASA is "go" for its planned Thursday (Oct. 1) launch toward the International Space Station, agency officials announced during a press conference this evening (Sept. 30). If all goes to plan, a Falcon 9 rocket will send SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule "Grace" toward the orbiting lab at 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) from Florida's Space Coast.
But the weather will have to cooperate as well, and that's far from guaranteed. The latest forecasts call for a 45% chance of a weather violation, which means a 55% change of conditions good enough to allow a launch.
If Crew-13 does scrub tomorrow, the next launch opportunity will come Friday (Oct. 2) at 10:47 a.m. EDT (1447 GMT). Whenever the mission lifts off, you can watch it here at Space.com
SpaceX, NASA 1 day away from Crew-13 launch after delays
SpaceX and NASA are T-1 day and counting until the launch of their SpaceX Crew-13 astronaut crew to the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. EDT (1510 GMT) on Thursday, Oct. 1, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Check out our "What time is SpaceX's Crew-13 astronaut launch guide" if you're looking for details on when and how to watch the launch live.
At 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT), NASA and SpaceX will hold a prelaunch press conference, which you'll be able to watch here.
Crew-13 will launch NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney and crewmates Josh Kutryk ( of Canada) and Sergey Teteryatnikov (of Russia) on a six-month mission to the International Space Station. They will join three core members of the station's Expedition 75 crew, already aboard the station, as well as the four soon-to-depart meembers of NASA's Crew-12 astronauts, who will soon return to Earth on their own SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Weather trackers are forecasting a 60% chance of good conditions for Thursday's launch, according to NASA.
The four Crew-13 astronauts successfully performed a dress rehearsal for launch day on Tuesday (Sept. 29), setting the stage for Thursday's liftoff.
Space.com will provide live coverage of SpaceX's Crew-13 launch, from liftoff to docking, on Oct. 1, with coverage coming in from our entire team, including Spaceflight Writer Josh Dinner, who is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in person. Be sure to tune in!
