GoKawiilSpaceX launches Crew-13 after repairing Dragon propulsion valve
A Falcon 9 rocket launched SpaceX's Crew-13 mission from Cape Canaveral, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. The launch, originally planned for mid-September, was delayed so SpaceX could cut into a propellant line and replace a faulty valve in the Dragon spacecraft's propulsion system.
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The repair delay highlights the intricate maintenance SpaceX must perform on reusable spacecraft hardware before certifying it safe for human flight. The mission also marks a notable milestone, with geologist-astronaut Jessica Watkins becoming the first Black woman to command a spacecraft, underscoring NASA's ongoing efforts toward diversifying crewed spaceflight.
- Crew-13 launched Thursday on a Falcon 9/Dragon for a six-month ISS mission.
- SpaceX delayed the launch from mid-September to fix a faulty valve in the propulsion system.
- Jessica Watkins becomes the first Black woman to command a spacecraft, leading a crew that includes Canadian and Russian astronauts.
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Published there as: “SpaceX describes surgical intervention before launch of latest crew mission”
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