NASA Prepares Crew‑13 Launch: How to Watch the Live Mission

NASA plans to send the Crew‑13 crew to the International Space Station on Thursday, marking the thirteenth rotation under its Commercial Crew Program. The launch will use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A and will carry four astronauts—two Americans, one Japanese and one from the United Arab Emirates—to the orbital laboratory.

Viewers can track the ascent in real time through several official streams. NASA’s website will host a live video feed with commentary from mission control, while the agency’s YouTube channel will stream the same coverage enhanced with extra graphics. SpaceX will also provide its own livestream on its website and on its official Twitter and Twitch accounts, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at launch operations.

Those who prefer traditional television can watch the launch on the major networks that have partnered with NASA for earlier crewed missions. In the United States, NBC— which has aired prior Crew missions—will carry the event, as will the NASA TV cable channel available through most satellite and cable providers. International audiences can tune in via local broadcasters that relay NASA’s feed, often listed on the agency’s launch page.

To help ensure a smooth viewing experience, NASA advises checking local listings for any schedule changes, since weather at the Cape can cause brief delays. The launch window opens at 3:38 a.m. Eastern Time (7:38 a.m. GMT), and the countdown will be updated in real time on the live streams. Viewers should also expect a short pre‑launch countdown clock and a safety countdown before the rocket’s ignition and lift‑off.

Beyond the live coverage, NASA will release post‑launch analysis, including a replay of the ascent and astronaut interviews once they have safely docked with the ISS. The mission is part of a broader effort to maintain a continuous U.S. presence in low‑Earth orbit, supporting scientific research and international cooperation. As the next crewed flight in the Commercial Crew Program, Crew‑13 underscores the growing role of private partners in U.S. human spaceflight and offers the public a front‑row seat to a milestone in space exploration.