SpaceX flight led by first Black female commander sets US speed record

Four astronauts pulled up at International Space Station after eight-hour express flight led by Jessica Watkins


Four astronauts pulled up at the International Space Station on Thursday after launching on an eight-hour express that set a US speed record, and that created further history with the first Black woman to lead a crew to orbit.


SpaceX launched commander Jessica Watkins and her crew for Nasa after a three-week delay to fix their Dragon capsule’s leaking fuel system. Thick clouds threatened all morning to halt the countdown but in the end, the skies cleared enough to allow for a safe liftoff.

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https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/01/spacex-speed-record-first-black-female-commander