NASA and SpaceX's Crew-13 mission reached the International Space Station Thursday evening in record time. Mission Pilot Luke Delaney, MS in Aerospace Engineering ’16, on his first spaceflight, is accompanied by NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, commander; Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, mission specialist; and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, mission specialist.
During their mission, Crew-13 will help advance research aboard the orbiting laboratory by using microgravity to produce human stem cell-derived tissues for improved personalized medicine, disease modeling, and pharmaceutical testing for conditions such as heart disease and Parkinson’s. The crew will also explore crop production through a new, mostly autonomous plant growth system and test a new in-flight diagnostic device to monitor astronaut health.
Read more about the launch | Follow the Crew-13 mission blog
Following docking, Delaney and his crewmates entered the International Space Station and joined Expedition 75. Watch their arrival and welcome ceremony as the station’s crew greets its newest members.
At the most recent Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) event at Camp Roberts in August, NPS researchers, students, operators, and industry partners tested technologies under realistic operational conditions. More than 30 experimental campaigns were completed during the event.
Results included:
Next JIFX: Nov. 2–5, 2026 | Camp Roberts
The next event will focus on resilient autonomy for contested environments.
Read the full article | Learn more about JIFX
The Naval Postgraduate School Foundation is saddened by the passing of Michael “Mike” Shute, a longtime Trustee and valued member of the NPS and Foundation community.
Mike served on the NPS Foundation Board of Trustees from 2016 through 2023 and was named Trustee Emeritus in January 2024. During his years with the Foundation, he generously shared his time, experience, and support in service to NPS and its mission.
Mike built a successful career in financial services, co-founding a business that grew into a nationwide company. He and his wife, Cris, made their home in Pebble Beach and were part of the Monterey Peninsula community for many years.
We are grateful for Mike’s friendship, his thoughtful support, and the many years he gave to the NPS Foundation. He will be warmly remembered by those who had the opportunity to know and work with him. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
The Unhedgeable Bet: What the Future Combat Systems Can Teach Us About Acquisition
By Andrew Tenbusch, MS in Systems Analysis ’25, and Trevor Phillips-Levine, MS in Systems Analysis ’25.
Learn the Regulations, Never Forget the Mission
Featuring Sgt. 1st Class Joseph F. Ray, MS in Defense Contract Management ’25.
Energy Crisis Linked to Insufficient Attention to Energy Security
Featuring Brenda Shaffer, Faculty Associate – Research, Energy Academic Group.
Trident Room Podcast Ep. 86.5 – TRP Unfiltered #11
Cmdr. Sean Delaney, MS in Aerospace Engineering '20, assumed command of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 during an Oct. 1 ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. An EA-18G Growler pilot with extensive operational and developmental flight test experience, Delaney assumes command after serving as VX-23’s chief test pilot. Learn more.
Capt. Hannah Kriewaldt, MS in Engineering Acoustics ’06, retired after 27 years of service and relinquished command of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, on Sept. 18. Over her four-year tour, Kriewaldt oversaw multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding programs including the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and Virginia-class attack submarines. Learn more.
Cmdr. Christina Pryne-Avilez, MS in Applied Physics ’17, began her new role as department officer at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, on July 29. She brings insights from multiple perspectives—shipboard, warfare center, and program office—and most recently served as Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Weapon System readiness officer at the Missile Defense Agency. Learn more.
Peter Winski, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ’08, received the NYPD First Precinct Leadership Award for helping officers access healthcare information and retirement resources related to 9/11. A retired NYPD inspector, Winski commanded the First Precinct during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and participated in initial rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. Learn more.
