NASA has announced the crew assignments for its SpaceX Crew-13 mission, which is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station before mid-September. The mission brings together astronauts and cosmonauts from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and Roscosmos for a long-duration scientific expedition to low Earth orbit. After reaching the orbiting laboratory, the four-member team will join Expedition 75. NASA has adjusted the launch schedule earlier than previously planned to increase the frequency of crew rotation under its Commercial Crew Program. The mission continues a long series of SpaceX-supported flights to the space station, focusing on scientific research, technology testing, and preparations for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Each crew member brings specialized training and operational experience from aviation, engineering and astronautics backgrounds.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 astronauts Assigned: Key roles for ISS mission
NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney have been assigned key flight roles. Watkins will serve as spacecraft commander, while Delaney will serve as pilot. They will be joined by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Teteryatnikov, who will serve as mission specialists. The crew represents three space agencies working together on the International Space Station program.Once arriving at the station, the team will be integrated into Expedition 75 operations. His responsibilities include conducting experiments in microgravity, supporting maintenance operations, and contributing to ongoing station system operations. The mission continues NASA’s collaboration with international partners through the Commercial Crew Program, which relies on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft for transportation to orbit.
NASA astronauts Watkins and Delaney assigned to Crew-13 mission roles
Jessica Watkins is making her second trip to the International Space Station. He previously flew on SpaceX Crew-4 in 2022 and spent 170 days in space during Expeditions 67 and 68. Watkins has a background in geology, with academic work focused on planetary surfaces, including the study of Mars. He also contributed to NASA’s Curiosity rover science team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His assignment as Commander puts him in charge of mission execution and crew coordination during flight operations.Luke Delaney is making his first space flight. He has a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering, as well as experience as a naval aviator and test pilot. Delaney has worked on developmental aircraft systems and airborne research missions at NASA’s Langley Research Center. His role as pilot involves supporting spacecraft operations during the launch, docking and undocking phases.
International crew members on Crew-13
Joshua Kutryk of the Canadian Space Agency is also flying to space for the first time. His career includes service as a fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as experience as a test pilot. Kutryk has an academic background in mechanical engineering and space studies, with additional qualifications in flight test engineering and defense studies. His role as a mission specialist includes supporting scientific experiments and station operations.Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Teteratnikov completed the Crew-13 team. He trained as a naval engineer before joining the Russian Cosmonaut Corps in 2021. His work background includes naval engineering roles involving ship systems and specialized mechanical operations. This mission is his first flight to the International Space Station, where he will contribute to technical work and research activities.
ISS continues 25-year legacy as Crew-13 supports deep space goals
Crew-13 will conduct a number of experiments that focus on studying human physiology, physics, and technical performance in microgravity. This type of activity allows scientists to learn more about the effects of long-distance flights on the human organism, and the results can be used in planning missions to other locations.Additionally, the ISS has hosted astronauts continuously since 1998. This station is a means of cooperation between countries and a center for various types of scientific experiments. The upcoming mission will continue the series of operations and help NASA achieve other goals within the Artemis project.