Russian Cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov Joins NASA Crew-13 Mission to ISS

• February 26, 2026

Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov has been named as a mission specialist for NASA’s upcoming Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This announcement was made public through Russian media outlets citing Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency.

The Crew-13 mission is planned to launch from the United States in the second half of 2026. NASA indicates the launch will not occur earlier than November of that year. Teteryatnikov’s appointment to the crew continues the established practice of international collaboration aboard the ISS, specifically the tradition of cross-flights involving Russian cosmonauts on American spacecraft.

Continuing International Collaboration on the ISS

The inclusion of a Russian cosmonaut in a U.S.-operated Crew Dragon spacecraft underscores the ongoing partnership between NASA and Roscosmos in maintaining and operating the ISS. Cross-crew flights have been an integral part of ISS missions, fostering a cooperative approach to human spaceflight that transcends national boundaries.

While specific mission details and Teteryatnikov’s role beyond being a mission specialist have not been elaborated, his presence aboard the Crew-13 mission exemplifies the mutual reliance of the international space community on trusted, experienced personnel from multiple countries to fulfill complex orbital objectives.

Crew-13 will join several other crewed missions that utilize SpaceX’s Crew Dragon vehicle, which has become a primary transportation system for astronauts traveling to and from the ISS since its certification for operational use. The mission will further strengthen the use of commercial spacecraft in collaboration with government space agencies.

The decision to launch the Crew-13 mission from U.S. soil with a mixed-nationality crew reflects continued emphasis on international cooperation despite geopolitical tensions, maintaining the ISS as a symbol of peaceful collaboration in space exploration.

Details regarding the exact mission duration, specific objectives, and the remaining crew composition have not yet been disclosed. Likewise, official statements from NASA and Roscosmos about training schedules, orbital tasks, or scientific experiments to be conducted during this flight remain forthcoming.

Sergey Teteryatnikov’s participation on this mission further cements his role within Russia’s cadre of cosmonauts who regularly partner with NASA astronauts and other international crew members. Such collaboration is vital for the sustained operation and scientific utilization of the ISS.

Sergey Teteryatnikov will fly as mission specialist aboard NASA’s Crew-13 spacecraft, continuing international cooperation on the ISS.