Bloomberg
• Loren Grush
SpaceX is scheduled to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on NASA’s Crew-13 mission on Oct. 1, 2026, potentially alongside a Falcon Heavy reconnaissance launch and a rideshare carrying 130 payloads. Weather could delay Crew-13, which is expected to use a retiring Dragon spacecraft.
NASA
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NASA pursued an unconventional effort to preserve Swift, combining pressure on the Treasury and rapid, AI-assisted software development. The attempt produced notable technical work but ultimately could not take the observatory further, according to comments from a participant described as “absolutely gutted.”
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SpaceX is scheduled to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on NASA’s Crew-13 mission on Oct. 1, 2026, potentially alongside a Falcon Heavy reconnaissance launch and a rideshare carrying 130 payloads. Weather could delay Crew-13, which is expected to use a retiring Dragon spacecraft.
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NASA and Boeing plan to fly an additional uncrewed Starliner test in 2026 before a potential astronaut mission in 2028, following problems during the spacecraft’s 2024 flight. The schedule also depends on spacecraft upgrades and certification of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket.
NASA has not confirmed plans to return SR-71 Blackbird #844 to the air, but the aircraft’s existing attributes could make it the strongest candidate for a revival. The effort could also deliver value beyond flight-test data by rebuilding expertise around the Blackbird’s specialized supply chain.
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NASA and SpaceX have cleared Crew-13 for a planned Oct. 1 launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon, targeting 11:10 a.m. ET, weather permitting. The six-month mission includes one veteran astronaut and three first-time flyers; Jessica Watkins is set for her second Dragon flight.
An SR-71 Blackbird that has not flown in nearly 27 years was quietly removed from outdoor display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. Reports that former program members have been contacted have prompted speculation that NASA may be evaluating the iconic aircraft for a return as an experimental platform.
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NASA is confronting a difficult choice involving SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, with the available options appearing to carry significant drawbacks. The situation highlights the agency’s dependence on a commercial crew and cargo system whose strategic importance can make even seemingly narrow decisions consequential.
A NASA workshop with satellite manufacturers and operators found that commercial practices for passivating spacecraft batteries—intended to prevent explosions after mission end—often fall short of NASA recommendations. The findings raise concerns as commercial satellite buses become increasingly common across government and civil space programs.
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