On Thursday, four astronauts, including a Canadian set to become a father during the mission, were launched into orbit for a six-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX launch, which experienced a three-week delay due to a fuel leak, was led by commander Jessica Watkins, who made history as the first Black woman to lead a crew into orbit.
The flight to the ISS was notably quick, promising an eight-hour transit time. Joining Watkins are NASA’s Luke Delaney, Canadian Joshua Kutryk, and Russia’s Sergey Teteryatnikov, all first-time space travelers replacing a previous crew.
Watkins expressed gratitude for the launch experience, emphasizing the importance of honoring the legacy of Apollo 13 with their Crew-13 mission patch. Kutryk, whose wife is due to give birth soon, will have support from the Canadian Space Agency, which has a history of connecting astronauts with their families during significant life events.
NASA aims to ensure Kutryk remains connected to his family while in orbit, referencing past instances where astronauts were able to participate in family milestones despite being in space.
