Episode•September 25, 2026•1h 3m
Crew-13
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 members discuss their journeys to becoming astronauts and their upcoming mission to the International Space Station. Episode 438
Key Takeaways
- 1
The importance of team cohesion in high-stakes environments
Crew-13 members emphasize that their success relies on being calm, competent, and working together as a unified team.
Jessica Watkins highlights that her role as commander is to optimize the strengths of her crewmates.
- 2
Space station research provides tangible benefits to Earth
Microgravity research on the ISS, such as stem cell-derived organoids, helps advance medical science and technology for life on the ground.
The station serves as a critical test bed for technologies needed for future lunar and deep-space exploration.
- 3
Exploration is a fundamental human drive
The crew views exploration as an innate human necessity that pushes the boundaries of our capabilities and understanding.
Historical examples of explorers, such as those who reached the poles, serve as inspiration for the calculated risks taken in modern spaceflight.
Intro
- In this episode, the four members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 mission discuss their paths to becoming astronauts and their preparations for a six-month mission to the International Space Station.
- The crew consists of Commander Jessica Watkins (geologist), Pilot Luke Delaney (test pilot), Mission Specialist Joshua Kutryk (test pilot), and Mission Specialist Sergei Tetryotnikov (naval engineer).
– Introduction to Crew-13
- Host Leah Cheshire introduces the Crew-13 mission, featuring NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Tetryotnikov.
– Jessica Watkins: Commander's Perspective
To me, pushing the boundaries of exploration is really important because it allows us to understand our own limitations, but also understand our own capabilities.
- Watkins discusses her background as a geologist, her experience on the Curiosity rover team, and the unique perspective of viewing Earth from the ISS.
– Luke Delaney: The Pilot's Journey
- Delaney shares his transition from the Marine Corps and NASA Langley to becoming a first-time space flyer, emphasizing the importance of operational experience in high-risk environments.
– Joshua Kutryk: The Canadian Perspective
I don't know if I do have a bucket list. I want to ride the bike a lot. I want to read a lot. I want to look out the window a lot.
- Kutryk reflects on his small-town roots, the persistence required for the astronaut selection process, and his passion for reading about historical explorers.
– Sergei Tetryotnikov: Cosmonaut Training
- Tetryotnikov discusses his background in the Russian Navy, the transition from submarine operations to spaceflight, and the value of international collaboration.
Books Mentioned
- Historical accounts of Shackleton and Arctic/Antarctic explorers by Various
Resources
Topics
Human SpaceflightInternational Space StationSpaceX DragonAstronaut TrainingMicrogravity ResearchExplorationGeologyTest Pilots
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