Crew-13 Launches to ISS: Two Americans, a Canadian, and a Russian Head to Space

Two American astronauts, a Canadian, and a Russian cosmonaut have departed for the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-13 mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. NASA expects the crew to reach the ISS eight hours after liftoff, potentially setting a new record for a US spacecraft. The four spacefarers – Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergej Teterjatnikow – are scheduled to spend approximately six months aboard the station.

This new crew will replace the outgoing Crew-12, which includes US astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrej Fedjajew. Following a multi-day handover period, Crew-12 plans to return to Earth, with their departure date dependent on weather conditions, possibly starting Monday.

Crew-13's launch was originally slated for mid-September but was postponed due to a leak detected on the spacecraft. The ISS orbits approximately 400 kilometers above Earth and remains a key area for international cooperation between the United States and Russia.

English Translation:

Two US astronauts, a Canadian, and a Russian cosmonaut have set off for the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-13 mission launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in the US state of Florida. According to NASA, they are expected to reach the ISS eight hours later, which would be a record for a US spacecraft. The four space travelers, Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergej Teterjatnikow, are set to stay on the ISS for about six months.

The new crew will relieve the four astronauts of the Crew-12 mission – US astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrej Fedjajew. After a multi-day handover phase between the two crews, Crew-12 will begin their return to Earth as early as Monday, depending on weather conditions.

Crew-13 was originally scheduled to fly to the ISS in mid-September. However, the launch was delayed due to a leak found on the spacecraft. The ISS is located about 400 kilometers above Earth. It is one of the last areas of international cooperation between the USA and Russia.