The first Russian scheduled to fly twice aboard the American spacecraft prepares for his upcoming 2026 mission.
Cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev during comprehensive examination training on the Russian segment simulators at the Cosmonaut Training Center.
Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who is set to make his second career flight to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the American Crew Dragon spacecraft next year (2026), has commenced his final certification exams, sources confirmed on December 26, 2025.
Fedyaev is currently undergoing comprehensive examination training on the simulator for the Russian segment of the ISS. The primary objective of these rigorous tests is to fully ascertain the cosmonaut’s readiness and proficiency for complex operational duties aboard the orbital station.
The Crew-12 Mission
According to earlier information provided by NASA, the Crew-12 mission is slated for launch no earlier than February 15, 2026. Fedyaev will fly alongside NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, as well as European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot of France.
Fedyaev’s inclusion in the crew was formalized recently. He replaced the veteran cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, who had initially been assigned to the mission. Roscosmos later confirmed the crew adjustment, citing Artemyev’s transition to a new professional role as the reason for the change.
A Historic Second Flight
Andrey Fedyaev joined the Russian cosmonaut corps on April 25, 2013. His initial spaceflight took place between March 2 and September 4, 2023. This inaugural mission saw him fly to and return from the ISS aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft, making him the second Russian national (after Anna Kikina, whose flight occurred between October 2022 and March 2023) to use the American vehicle as part of the crew exchange program.
With this upcoming assignment, Fedyaev is positioned to become the first Russian cosmonaut in history to fly on the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle twice, marking a significant milestone in Russian participation in commercial crew missions.
