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How to watch the SpaceX Crew-13 launch live

NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission is set to launch a Crew Dragon to the International Space Station in October 2026. Here's where to watch the crewed liftoff live, how to see the time in your own timezone, and who's flying.

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1. When is the Crew-13 launch?

Crew-13 is targeted for no earlier than October 1, 2026, launching on a Falcon 9 with a Crew Dragon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA and SpaceX pushed the target back from mid-September in late August 2026 to address an oxidizer issue. Crewed launches use a precise, often instantaneous window — if it scrubs, it typically slips at least a day — so the time is confirmed close to launch. The live schedule shows it in your local timezone with a countdown.

2. Where to watch it live

Crewed launches get the most generous coverage of any mission:

  • NASA+ and the NASA YouTube channel — the main broadcast, with hours of pre-launch coverage: crew wake-up, suit-up, the walkout, and the drive to the pad.
  • SpaceX — the Crew Dragon feed on X (@SpaceX) and YouTube, focused on the rocket, the ascent, and the booster landing.

On launch day we surface the official webcast — and embed the YouTube player when available — on the launch's page here. For a crewed flight it's worth joining an hour or more before liftoff to catch the walkout and the final go/no-go.

3. Who's on board

Crew-13 carries four astronauts to the station for a roughly six-month stay, joining Expedition 75:

  • Jessica Watkins (NASA) — commander. A geologist who previously flew on Crew-4 in 2022.
  • Luke Delaney (NASA) — pilot. A former U.S. Marine Corps naval aviator and test pilot.
  • Joshua Kutryk (CSA) — mission specialist. A Canadian fighter and test pilot.
  • Sergey Teteryatnikov (Roscosmos) — mission specialist.

It's the 13th operational crew rotation of NASA's Commercial Crew Program — the routine, reliable cadence that keeps the ISS staffed.

4. What makes a crewed launch different

A Crew Dragon launch carries things a satellite flight doesn't: a launch-escape system that can pull the capsule clear in an emergency, a fully suited crew, and an extra-cautious go/no-go that weighs weather not just at the pad but along the entire ascent and at the splashdown zones. That's why crewed flights scrub more readily than cargo runs — and why watching the countdown is its own kind of tense fun.

5. Want to see it from the Space Coast?

A crewed liftoff is a bucket-list sight. If you're near Florida's Space Coast — or planning a trip — our in-person viewing guide covers the best public spots around Titusville, Cocoa Beach and the Indian River, when to arrive, and what to bring. You can also check whether the launch is visible from your location.

Gear that makes a launch worth the trip

For in-person viewing, a little magnification turns a distant flame into a real rocket — and helps you follow the booster back to the Cape.

Binoculars Spotting scope Camera + zoom

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Frequently asked questions

When does SpaceX Crew-13 launch?
No earlier than October 1, 2026, on a Falcon 9 with a Crew Dragon from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. NASA pushed the date back from mid-September to address an oxidizer issue. The precise time is set close to launch; the live schedule shows it in your timezone.
Who is on the Crew-13 mission?
Commander Jessica Watkins and pilot Luke Delaney (both NASA), with mission specialists Joshua Kutryk (CSA, Canada) and Sergey Teteryatnikov (Roscosmos). They join the station's Expedition 75 for about six months.
Where can I watch the Crew-13 launch live?
On NASA+ and the NASA YouTube channel for the full broadcast, including hours of pre-launch coverage, and on SpaceX's feed on X and YouTube. We surface and embed the official webcast on the launch page here on launch day.
Can I watch the launch in person?
Yes — crewed launches from Cape Canaveral are visible from public spots along Florida's Space Coast. See our in-person viewing guide for where to go, when to arrive, and what to bring.