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IN PHOTOS: SpaceX launches four astronauts to International Space Station for six-month mission

Updated On: 01 October, 2026 09:53 PM IST | Divya Nair

SpaceX launched four astronauts on Thursday for a six-month mission to the International Space Station, with Jessica Watkins becoming the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit and Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk preparing to welcome a child while in space. PICS/AFP, TEXT/AP

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NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 astronauts walk out of the Neil A Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building ahead of their launch at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday. PIC/AFP
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 astronauts walk out of the Neil A Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building ahead of their launch at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday. PIC/AFP
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CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov are seen as they prepare to board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-13 mission launch. Kutryk will become the fourth man to become a father while orbiting Earth. His wife Heather is due to give birth to their third child in late November. The CSA promises plenty of support for the entire family when the big day comes
CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov are seen as they prepare to board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-13 mission launch. Kutryk will become the fourth man to become a father while orbiting Earth. His wife Heather is due to give birth to their third child in late November. The CSA promises plenty of support for the entire family when the big day comes
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NASA SpaceX Crew-13 astronaut Jessica Watkins waves to her family ahead of the launch at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for NASA after a three-week delay to fix the capsule's leaking fuel system
NASA SpaceX Crew-13 astronaut Jessica Watkins waves to her family ahead of the launch at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for NASA after a three-week delay to fix the capsule's leaking fuel system
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Luke Delaney waves to his family outside the Neil A Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Delaney is a retired Marine
Luke Delaney waves to his family outside the Neil A Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Delaney is a retired Marine 
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Although their stay at the International Space Station will last a long six months, the flight there promised to be the quickest yet for Elon Musk's company: a mere eight-hour transit with an arrival well before bedtime
Although their stay at the International Space Station will last a long six months, the flight there promised to be the quickest yet for Elon Musk's company: a mere eight-hour transit with an arrival well before bedtime
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The other two astronauts include Canada's Joshua Kutryk, a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force; and Russia's Sergey Teteryatnikov, a former submariner. They will replace four astronauts who have been living at the orbiting laboratory since February
The other two astronauts include Canada's Joshua Kutryk, a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force; and Russia's Sergey Teteryatnikov, a former submariner. They will replace four astronauts who have been living at the orbiting laboratory since February

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