Jessica Watkins Commands Crew-13 Space Mission
Jessica Watkins commanded SpaceX Crew-13 to the International Space Station after the crew launched on October 1, 2026.
FlyMarshall Newsroom1 min read
Photo: NASA
Jessica Watkins commanded SpaceX’s Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station. The crew launched aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon on October 1, 2026, with three other astronauts.
Key details
- NASA said it selected Watkins for her spaceflight experience, leadership, and ability to help achieve mission objectives.
- Crew-13 was planned as an approximately six-month mission.
- Watkins previously flew on SpaceX’s Crew-4 mission in 2022.
Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman to command a crewed space mission.
Why it matters
Watkins’s command adds a first to the history of crewed space missions. NASA cited her experience and leadership as factors in choosing her to lead the mission.
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