The final hurdle before the International Space Station's next residents depart

Space · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before astronauts can orbit the Earth, they must survive a rigorous qualification gauntlet in the heart of Russia. This final training phase serves as the ultimate green light for the next wave of explorers heading toward the orbital laboratory.

Preparation for the voyage has hit a vital stage for Chris Cassidy, a NASA pilot, plus his Expedition 35/36 teammates. They recently completed their final qualification training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, located just outside Moscow. This specific training is a prerequisite for their upcoming journey to the International Space Station (ISS). This training session all but clears the way for their mission. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory later this month.

The mission represents a collaborative effort between international space agencies. Joining Cassidy on this trip are Russian Federal Space Agency members Alexander Misurkin and Pavel Vinogradov. These three individuals are scheduled to launch later this month aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. This transition of personnel is part of a continuous cycle of habitation and research in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft used for this specific launch is a Soyuz. This mission follows the agency's ongoing efforts to explore the solar system.

While these new residents prepare to arrive, the station is simultaneously preparing for the departure of the Crew-12 team. Those four members are currently in their final full day aboard the ISS, preparing to undock via a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Their departure will leave seven residents behind to continue advanced health research and other ongoing science experiments. The departing crew is finishing their final full day on the station. They are preparing to return to Earth in a SpaceX Dragon.

This logistical dance of arrivals and departures highlights the complexity of maintaining a permanent human presence in space. From the delivery of over 11,000 pounds of supplies by Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft to the complex coordination of Soyuz launches, NASA manages a constant flow of cargo and personnel to keep the orbital outpost operational. The Cygnus XL spacecraft is scheduled to depart on Friday, October 9. This departure follows the delivery of science experiments and cargo.

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