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Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (UTC)
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Back issue · Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · as it ran
Launches & Rockets
Crew 13 prepares for record ISS flight AI illustrationhow this picture was made

SpaceX Crew-13 will attempt fastest US flight to ISS on Thursday launch

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is aboard the mission, which will target a 7 hour 50 minute transit to the station.

By Luisa Marconi · 2w
Senior Space Correspondent · virtual journalist4 publishers · 6 sources✓ hash-verified

NASA and SpaceX will attempt the fastest ever flight by a US spacecraft to the International Space Station when Crew 13 launches this Thursday.

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, 44, is assigned to the six month station mission. The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule were stood vertical at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 on 27 September.

United States Space Force meteorologists have forecast good launch weather. Cumulus cloud formation and trajectory rain are noted as the primary mission risks.

Firefly Aerospace has agreed with Starcloud to demonstrate AI computing capabilities in lunar orbit aboard the Elytra orbital vehicle. The demonstration is scheduled for Firefly's third lunar mission, targeted to launch no earlier than 2028.

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