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NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crewed ISS Mission

NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft being rolled out to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Image: NASA/HQ
Quick answer · as of 1 Oct 2026

NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the next crewed mission to the ISS. Meanwhile, 10 astronauts are currently in space.

Key figures · as of 1 Oct 2026 · Orbital Radar tracking data
Active satellites15,736
Starlink active10,015
Catalogued objects31,269
Predicted re-entries21
Active close approaches22
People in space10

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for their next joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with live coverage available from Spaceflight Now. This mission is part of NASA's ongoing collaboration with SpaceX to maintain a continuous human presence aboard the ISS. The crewed mission will add to the current count of 10 astronauts in space, as recorded by Orbital Radar tracking data.

Satellite Close Approaches

Close-up of a labeled component at Kennedy Space Center, marked KSC-02pd1834, with technical details.
KSC-02pd1834 · Image: NASA/KSC

Several close approaches between satellites have been recorded, with the nearest being between TIANHUI 2-02A and TIANHUI 2-02B, at a minimum distance of approximately 1.00 km. Such events highlight the increasing congestion in low Earth orbit (LEO) and the importance of vigilant space situational awareness. Orbital Radar's SSA hub provides tools for tracking and analysing these close approaches.

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Space Weather and Debris

Scott Thurston discusses Columbia debris packing efforts in the hangar, with over 83,000 pieces recovered from East Texas.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the Columbia Debris Hangar, Scott Thurston, NASA vehicle flow manager, addresses the media about efforts to pack the debris stored in the Columbia Debris Hangar. More · Image: NASA/KSC

Current space weather conditions are stable, with all metrics showing 'green' status. This indicates minimal risk to satellites and crewed missions in LEO, GEO (geostationary orbit), and the ISS. The debris environment remains a concern, with 31,269 tracked objects, including 9,924 pieces of debris. Orbital Radar's Debris Map offers real-time tracking of these objects.

What to Watch

While there are no recent or upcoming launches, the space community is closely watching the developments of the NASA and SpaceX crewed mission to the ISS. For enthusiasts and professionals alike, Orbital Radar's Launch Schedule provides detailed information on all planned launches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many astronauts are currently in space?
As of 1 October 2026, there are 10 astronauts in space, according to Orbital Radar tracking data.
What is the current status of space weather?
Space weather conditions are currently stable, with all metrics indicating 'green' status, posing minimal risk to satellites and crewed missions.

Cite this article

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Orbital Radar. (2026, October 1). NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crewed ISS Mission. Retrieved November 15, 2026, from https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-01

“NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crewed ISS Mission.” Orbital Radar, 1 Oct. 2026, orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-01. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Orbital Radar (2026) NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crewed ISS Mission. Available at: https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-01 (Accessed: 15 November 2026).

Orbital Radar. “NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Crewed ISS Mission.” Last modified October 1, 2026. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-01.

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Live figures change, so keep the date you accessed the page. How to cite Orbital Radar

The live figures in this article are available as machine-readable data: download JSON (CC BY 4.0, attribute “Orbital Radar” with a link).
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