Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, along with NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on October 1, 2026. Kutryk brought a family heirloom, a pocket watch over 100 years old, symbolizing the progress of his family and the world. The launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, marked the fastest trip to the ISS for an American spacecraft, taking just under eight hours. The crew expressed gratitude to the teams involved and prepared for a brief handover with Crew-12, who will return to Earth shortly after. This mission highlights the ongoing collaboration in space exploration and the personal connections astronauts bring to their journeys.
QUESTION: How might the personal items astronauts choose to bring with them to space reflect their values and experiences?
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 launches as astronaut brings 100-year-old heirloom on trip
