NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 Astronauts Set to Launch with Focus on ISS Research

Four astronauts are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission, scheduled for October 1 at 11:10 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. During their six-month mission, they will participate in hundreds of scientific investigations, including numerous projects sponsored by the ISS National Lab aimed at benefiting life on Earth and enhancing the low Earth orbit (LEO) economy.

The crew's research efforts will cover a range of fields, including biomanufacturing, regenerative medicine, physical sciences, and technology development, alongside student-led experiments. Among the key projects:

In biomanufacturing and regenerative medicine, investigations will focus on developing organoid models and growing vascularized tissues. The National Stem Cell Foundation plans to use human neural organoid models to study neuroinflammation and potential therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center researchers aim to grow stem cell-derived cardiac spheroids to model cardiovascular disease and assess the impact of cancer drugs on the heart. Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is working with organoids from colorectal cancer cells to test chemotherapy drugs.

In fundamental science, multiple projects funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) will leverage microgravity conditions. For instance, UC San Diego will study the effects of mudflows post-wildfires, Virginia Tech will investigate microgravity's impact on wound healing, and the University of Kentucky will explore metal behavior in space relevant to in-orbit repairs.

Student-led initiatives will also feature, including a project from the Genes in Space program, which challenges students to design DNA experiments for spaceflight. This year's focus is on producing proteins in space, crucial for future long-duration missions.

Additionally, the crew will help install Voyager Technologies' Nanoracks External Laboratory (NEL) on the station's exterior, enhancing the capability for experiments in the unique space environment.

Since its establishment in 2011, the ISS National Lab has sponsored over 1,000 experiments, resulting in more than 705 peer-reviewed publications, with many appearing in leading journals. For updates on ISS research, the ISS National Lab offers a subscription to its magazine, Upward.