Florida – On October 1, 2026, a pocket watch that has marked time for more than a hundred years will leave Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The timepiece belongs to Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, who carries it as both a practical tool and a reminder of his family’s journey across generations. The launch, set for 11:10 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marks the start of the Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station.
The Heirloom That Crosses Generations
Kutryk, a fourth-generation Ukrainian Canadian, selected the watch because it has been in his family since the first generation to settle in Canada. He has described the piece as something that connects him to the changes his relatives witnessed and to the progress still ahead. During a prelaunch news conference, he noted how much the world has transformed in just over a century and wondered what the next hundred years might bring if people choose their path carefully. The watch also serves a simple purpose: telling time during the flight. Its presence turns a routine piece of equipment into a personal link between past and future, carried by one traveler among four heading to the station.
Departure from Florida’s Space Coast
The mission lifts off from Florida’s Space Coast, a stretch of coastline long associated with human spaceflight. Observers who gather along nearby beaches or designated viewing areas often describe the moment the rocket rises as both powerful and quieting, a shared experience that draws people from many backgrounds. The scheduled time of 11:10 a.m. ET offers favorable conditions, though forecasters note a chance of thick clouds or rain that could affect the window. Once in orbit, the spacecraft is expected to reach the station in under eight hours, one of the quickest trips yet planned under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Docking is targeted for around 7 p.m. ET, with the crew joining Expedition 75 for a six-month stay.
Research That Benefits Life on Earth
Beyond the personal story, the mission carries experiments focused on human health and future exploration. Crew members will study stem-cell-derived tissues to improve understanding of heart disease and Parkinson’s, examine how crops might grow in space, and test equipment that monitors blood flow changes experienced by astronauts. These efforts support longer missions while also advancing medical knowledge that can return to Earth. The four-person crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, and Kutryk. Their work continues a continuous human presence on the station that will reach 26 years in November.
What Remains Ahead
Weather and final checks will determine whether the launch proceeds on schedule. If delayed, the team will wait for the next suitable window while keeping safety as the first priority. For those watching from Florida, the event offers a chance to witness a moment that blends family history with ongoing scientific discovery. The pocket watch, steady through decades of change, now travels into a new chapter of exploration.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.