The Canadian Space Agency (CSA), in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, has confirmed a new launch window for the Crew-13 mission: Wednesday, October 1, 2026, no earlier than 11:10 a.m. EDT. On board will be Colonel Joshua Kutryk, CSA astronaut, who is preparing to join the International Space Station (ISS) for approximately six months of scientific research — a defining milestone in the career of the Alberta-born pilot-astronaut and a proud moment for the Canadian space program.
New Launch Date Confirmed: Liftoff Targeted for October 1, 2026
Originally scheduled for an earlier date, the launch was postponed to allow for additional technical verifications and to ensure the best possible operational conditions for the crew. SpaceX's Dragon capsule will lift off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida under NASA's Commercial Crew Program — a pioneering public-private partnership that has transformed human access to space by dramatically reducing costs and increasing the frequency of crewed rotations to the ISS. This commercial model now stands as the cornerstone of human spaceflight to low Earth orbit.
Final Media Availability Before Launch
On the eve of his departure, the Canadian Space Agency hosted a virtual media question-and-answer session with Joshua Kutryk on September 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EDT via Microsoft Teams. This session represented the last opportunity for journalists to speak directly with the astronaut before his departure for space. Accredited media wishing to participate were invited to contact the CSA Media Relations Office at 450-926-4370 or by email to register and receive the necessary connection link and instructions.
« Joshua Kutryk will be the fourth CSA astronaut to participate in a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station and the first to travel to space as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. » – Canadian Space Agency, official press release of September 23, 2026
Canada's Fourth Long-Duration ISS Astronaut — A Historic Milestone
By joining the Crew-13 crew, Joshua Kutryk becomes the fourth CSA astronaut to undertake a long-duration mission aboard the ISS and the first Canadian to travel to space through NASA's Commercial Crew Program. He joins an illustrious lineage that includes Chris Hadfield — the first Canadian to command the ISS in 2013 and a global icon of space exploration —, David Saint-Jacques, who conducted a spacewalk during his 2018-2019 mission, and Jeremy Hansen, whose Artemis II mission around the Moon captivated audiences worldwide. Together, these astronauts have cemented Canada's reputation as a leading nation in human space exploration.
Six Months of Science and Innovation in Microgravity
During his approximately six-month stay aboard the ISS, Joshua Kutryk will participate in scientific experiments spanning cellular biology, space medicine, fluid physics, and materials science. These studies, made possible by the unique microgravity environment of the ISS, yield concrete benefits for terrestrial applications in healthcare, biotechnology, and high-performance materials. Kutryk will also be responsible for testing new technologies developed by Canadian industry and academic partners, directly strengthening the international competitiveness of Canada's national aerospace sector.
Portrait of Colonel Joshua Kutryk
Selected as a CSA astronaut in 2017 from over 3,700 Canadian applicants, Colonel Joshua Kutryk is a highly experienced test pilot and officer of the Canadian Armed Forces from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. He holds a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from Stanford University and has logged over 3,000 flight hours on more than 50 aircraft types. His astronaut training took him to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as well as partner facilities in Europe, Japan, and Russia, where he trained in extravehicular activities, space robotics, and in-orbit emergency management.
Impact on the Quebec and Canadian Aerospace Sector
For the Quebec aerospace industry — whose world-class hub is centred around Montreal and Longueuil, home to CSA headquarters — the Crew-13 mission embodies the ambitions of a sector employing more than 40,000 people directly in the province. Global leaders such as MDA (designer of the Canadarm), CAE, Héroux-Devtek, and Magellan Aerospace contribute directly or indirectly to space exploration programs, alongside hundreds of innovative SMEs. Missions like Crew-13 fuel sustained demand for aerospace engineers, researchers, embedded systems technicians, and complex project management specialists — profiles that remain in high demand on a dynamic and future-oriented labour market.
Looking to contribute to the future of Canadian space exploration or build a rewarding career in one of the world's most exciting industries? Visit aeroemploi.ca — Quebec's premier aerospace job portal. Hundreds of positions from leading sector employers, spanning engineering, research, operations, and management, are posted regularly. Your next great aerospace adventure starts here.