Crew-13 Launch Delayed: New Date & Oxidizer Leak Reason

Is the Crew-13 Launch Delayed? (Short Answer)

Last updated: September 1, 2026. Yes, the Crew-13 launch is officially delayed. NASA and SpaceX scrubbed the original target due to a Dragon oxidizer leak found during prelaunch processing. As of publication, a new launch date has not been announced. This article will be updated when NASA confirms the new target date.

Why Was Crew-13 Delayed? The Dragon Oxidizer Leak Explained

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, NASA officially announced that it and SpaceX are adjusting the crewed flight's timeline. The delay stems from a specific hardware issue discovered during standard prelaunch spacecraft processing at Cape Canaveral.

The specific reason is an oxidizer leak on the Crew Dragon spacecraft's propulsion system. According to the official NASA statement, joint NASA and SpaceX teams are performing additional tests and data review, and will complete any necessary rework prior to launch.

What an oxidizer leak actually means

What "rework" involves and why it takes time

Crew Dragon uses a hypergolic propulsion system powering its Draco thrusters, which rely on a fuel and an oxidizer (Nitrogen Tetroxide, or NTO) that ignite on contact. Because these chemicals are highly reactive and toxic, any propulsion leak is non-negotiable on a crewed vehicle. Rework involves safely draining the system, replacing the compromised seals or valves, and conducting rigorous pressure tests to ensure absolute crew safety before flight.

When Is the New Crew-13 Launch Date?

Factors that will shape the new timeline

CRITICAL UPDATE: As of publication, NO new launch date has been announced. NASA and SpaceX have explicitly stated that a new target date will be announced only once it is available. We cannot predict or guess the exact liftoff time until the propulsion rework is fully completed.

Several logistical factors will shape the new date. Mission planners must coordinate ISS visiting-vehicle traffic, the Crew-12 handover and return schedule, and overall Expedition 75/76 scheduling. Additionally, the crew enters quarantine about two weeks before flight at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Watch for the quarantine clock to restart—that will be a major signal that a new date is locked in.

The Original September 12 Launch Time — IST, EDT, UTC & BST

Before the delay, the mission was scheduled to lift off on Saturday, September 12, 2026. While this target is now cancelled, tracking the original timing helps global viewers understand the expected launch windows once a new date is set.

Meet the Crew-13 Astronauts

A diverse international crew

The four-person team flying on this mission represents three different space agencies. Commander Jessica Watkins (NASA) is a geologist who previously flew on SpaceX Crew-4. She is joined by Pilot Luke Delaney (NASA), a former naval aviator making his first spaceflight.

Rounding out the crew are two mission specialists. Joshua Kutryk (CSA/Canada) is a fighter pilot embarking on his first spaceflight, alongside Sergey Teteryatnikov (Roscosmos), a former submariner who is also flying to space for the first time.

The crew will spend roughly 180 days in orbit. To learn more about their specific objectives, read our original Crew-13 mission overview.

Crew Dragon "Grace" and the Falcon 9

The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The rocket is a flight-proven Falcon 9 Block 5, carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft named "Grace", which is flying its second mission.

This flight is highly significant for NASA's ongoing schedule. It marks the 13th operational crew rotation of NASA's Commercial Crew Program and the 21st crewed orbital flight for a Crew Dragon spacecraft overall.

Cybertrucks Replace MRAPs on the Launch Pad

A major upgrade for pad safety

One highly anticipated detail of this mission is a change in ground operations. SpaceX is replacing the traditional MRAP armored emergency-egress vehicles at the pad with customized Tesla Cybertrucks.

NASA's Richard Jones, deputy director of the Commercial Crew Program, cited the Cybertruck's superior exit speed from the blast danger area as a primary reason for the upgrade, ensuring the crew can evacuate SLC-40 faster in a pad emergency.

What Crew-13 Will Do on the ISS

Expedition 75/76 Science Goals

Once the crew arrives at the International Space Station, they will integrate into Expedition 75/76. They are taking over from the astronauts of Crew-12, who successfully launched on February 13, 2026.

Key science and maintenance objectives include:

• Heart Disease Research – studying cardiac tissue in microgravity to develop better treatments on Earth.
• Parkinson's Disease Studies – analyzing protein crystallization related to neurodegenerative conditions.
• Crop Production – advancing plant habitat work to sustain future deep-space missions.
• Station Upgrades – conducting scheduled spacewalks to maintain and upgrade the ISS exterior.

How to Watch the Crew-13 Launch Live

When the new launch date is established, viewers worldwide can watch the liftoff live. Official streams will be available on NASA+, at nasa.gov/live, on the NASA YouTube channel, and via SpaceX's official account on X (formerly Twitter).

In the meantime, the space agency remains active. Just one day after the Crew-13 delay was announced, the Roman Space Telescope launch successfully took place on August 30, 2026, aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket.

Key Takeaways

The aerospace industry is dealing with multiple schedule shifts this season, including the recent Chang'e 7 launch delay and preparations for Starship Flight 14. For Crew-13, safety remains the absolute priority.