NASA sets Crew-13 launch for Oct. 1 as weather remains a concern

NASA scheduled its SpaceX Crew-13 mission to launch four astronauts toward the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 11:10 a.m. EDT on Oct. 1. Its published countdown gives the planned steps before and shortly after liftoff; weather remained a possible obstacle to departure.

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft were assigned to Space Launch Complex 40. NASA’s milestone post listed approximate times, rather than confirming that any event had happened. The 11:10 a.m. launch window was instantaneous, according to Space.com, making the weather assessment especially consequential for the day’s schedule.

Crew-13 countdown times before liftoff

NASA’s schedule began with suit donning and checks at 7 a.m. EDT, followed by the crew’s walkout at 7:40 a.m. and arrival at the pad at 8:05 a.m. Entry into the Dragon spacecraft was listed for 8:34 a.m. The timetable then called for a communications check, seat rotation and suit leak checks before hatch closure at 9:15 a.m.

Later steps included the SpaceX launch director’s decision on whether to proceed with propellant loading at 10:25 a.m. and retraction of the crew access arm at 10:28 a.m. NASA listed the arming of Dragon’s launch escape system at 10:31 a.m., followed by fuel and liquid oxygen loading. Its launch broadcast was scheduled to begin at 9:20 a.m.

Weather and spacecraft checks before Crew-13

At a Sept. 30 prelaunch briefing, NASA human-spaceflight chief Lori Glaze said everything was go, according to Space.com, while cautioning that weather still had to cooperate. The outlet reported a 45% chance of a weather violation, equivalent to a 55% chance of conditions being acceptable for launch. SpaceQ separately reported the same approximate weather outlook, citing concerns about thick cloud layers and precipitation.

The readiness assessment followed a delay from an earlier Sept. 12 launch target. Space.com reported that a leak in Dragon Grace’s propulsion system was found during pre-mission checks and that mission managers subsequently cleared the spacecraft for flight. SpaceQ reported that SpaceX cut out the affected section of a leaking propellant-isolation valve and welded in a replacement; NASA low Earth orbit program manager Dana Weigel described a deliberate repair and an integrity check afterward.

SpaceQ also reported a communication loss involving a Super Draco microcontroller during a dry dress rehearsal. According to its account of the prelaunch briefing, SpaceX reset the issue and discussed procedures with NASA in case it recurred. Those reported checks and discussions form part of the prelaunch picture; the published countdown alone cannot establish the spacecraft’s later flight status.

Who is aboard and what happens after launch

Crew-13 comprises NASA commander Jessica Watkins and pilot Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. Space.com reported that Watkins was poised to become the first NASA astronaut to launch aboard Crew Dragon for a second time. The other three crew members were described in its report as first-time astronauts.

If launch proceeded on schedule, NASA’s timeline put maximum aerodynamic pressure at 11:11 a.m., first-stage landing at 11:17 a.m. and Dragon’s separation from the second stage at 11:19 a.m. These are planned milestones, not confirmation that the rocket launched or that its booster landed. NASA’s coverage advisory targeted docking at the station at about 7 p.m. EDT.

NASA said the planned journey from launch to docking would take seven hours and 50 minutes and, if achieved, would be the fastest trip to the station by a US spacecraft. After arrival, the astronauts were due to conduct a brief handover with Crew-12. NASA said Crew-12’s return to Earth was expected no earlier than Oct. 5, with further details to follow Crew-13’s arrival.

Space.com reported that Crew-13’s astronauts were expected to spend roughly six months aboard the station on maintenance and research, including work related to astronaut health and food production in space. If the Oct. 1 attempt was called off, it reported a backup opportunity on Oct. 2 at 10:47 a.m. EDT. Launch, docking and handover remained subject to weather and mission operations.