NASA Crew-13 Launch: How to Watch the SpaceX Mission, Schedule and Docking Times

NASA will provide live coverage of the pre-launch, launch, rendezvous and docking activities for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station.

Coverage will be available across several online platforms. Here is the complete Crew-13 launch schedule and information about how to watch the mission virtually.

Crew-13 launch and docking schedule

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Thursday, October 1, at 11:10 a.m. EDT. Docking with the International Space Station is targeted for approximately 7 p.m.

The spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA astronaut Joshua Kutlik, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Teteryatnikov on a long-term science mission to the space station.

All times are Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations.

Wednesday, September 30

5 p.m. — Pre-launch press conference

• Dr. Rory Glaze, Deputy Administrator, Manned Spaceflight Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
• Dana Weigel, Low Earth Orbit Program Manager, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston
• Matthew Caron, CSA Director of Astronaut, Life Sciences and Space Medicine
• William Gerstenmeyer, Vice President, Construction and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
• Arlena Moses, weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Media may ask questions in person or by telephone. Because auditorium space is limited, in-person attendance will not be possible. To receive the dial-in number and passcode, contact the NASA Kennedy Newsroom at [email protected] at least one hour before the press conference begins.

Thursday, October 1

• 9:20 a.m.: Launch coverage begins
• 11:10 a.m.: Crew-13 launch
• 12:45 p.m.: Post-launch press conference
• 5:20 p.m.: Arrival interview begins
• 7 p.m.: Targeted docking with the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module
• 8:45 p.m.: Hatch opening and welcome speech

Post-launch press conference

12:45 p.m. — Post-launch press conference participants:

• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
• Dr. Rory Glaze, Deputy Administrator, Manned Spaceflight Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
• Dana Weigel, Low Earth Orbit Program Manager, NASA Johnson
• Matthew Caron, CSA Director of Astronaut, Life Sciences and Space Medicine
• Julianna Shaiman, Director, NASA Science and Dragon Program, SpaceX

Media may ask questions in person or by phone. Due to limited auditorium space, in-person attendance will not be possible. For the dial-in number and passcode, contact the NASA Kennedy Newsroom at [email protected] at least one hour before the press conference begins.

Watch Crew-13 rendezvous and docking

After launch coverage concludes, NASA will provide an audio-only discussion between the Crew-13 astronauts, the space station and flight controllers as Dragon approaches the orbital complex.

NASA will resume live coverage for the rendezvous and docking phase across various platforms. The scheduled 7-hour, 50-minute journey from launch to docking on October 1 will be the fastest ever completed by a U.S. spacecraft to the space station.

Following docking, the hatch is scheduled to open at 8:45 p.m., followed by a welcome speech. All times are estimates and may change according to real-time operations. Follow the Space Station Blog for the latest operational information.

Once aboard the station, the Crew-13 astronauts will conduct a brief handover with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which is scheduled to begin its return to Earth by Monday, October 5. NASA plans to share additional details about Crew-12’s return after Crew-13 arrives.

How to watch the Crew-13 launch online

NASA live launch video

NASA will provide a live video feed of Space Launch Complex 40 approximately six hours before the planned Crew-13 launch. The feed will not be interrupted until the pre-launch broadcast begins on NASA+ approximately two hours before launch.

Once the feed is live, watch online at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center YouTube channel.

The mission’s launch-day coverage will also be available on NASA’s website, including live streaming from 9:10 a.m. on October 1 and blog updates as countdown milestones occur.

On-demand video and launch photos will be available immediately after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the NASA Kennedy Newsroom at 321-867-2468. Countdown updates are also available through the Commercial Crew blog.

Audio-only launch coverage

Launch audio is available in FM mode on the Launch Information Service and Amateur Television System VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz. It is also available on the KSC Amateur Radio Club UHF radio frequency 444.925 MHz and can be heard within Brevard County on Florida’s Space Coast.

Attend the launch virtually

Members of the public can register to participate virtually. NASA’s Virtual Guest Program for Crew-13 also includes selected launch resources, notifications about related opportunities and changes, and a post-launch NASA Virtual Guest Passport stamp.

Media accreditation and press information

The deadline for media accreditation for direct coverage of the launch has passed. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online. Questions about media accreditation can be sent to [email protected].

In-person events are open to pre-qualified media only. Details of the call will be released upon media request.

Media representatives who need access to NASA’s live video feeds can subscribe to NASA’s media resources distribution list to receive daily updates and links.

Follow Crew-13 on social media

Follow and tag the following accounts on X, Facebook and Instagram for Crew-13 mission updates.

X: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @Space_Station, @ISS National Institute, @SpaceX

Facebook: NASA, NASA Kennedy, ISS, ISS National Laboratory

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab, @SpaceX

About NASA’s Commercial Crew missions

Through partnerships with U.S. private industry, NASA has achieved its goal of providing safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation from the United States to the International Space Station. These partnerships expand access to low Earth orbit and the space station for more people, more science and more commercial opportunities.

For more than 25 years, people have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating technologies that will support human exploration of Mars and prepare for human exploration of the Moon.

Media contacts

Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
[email protected] / [email protected]

Stephen Cisselov
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-867-2468
[email protected]

Sandra Jones / Joseph Zakruszewski
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
[email protected] / [email protected]