The rigorous preparation behind the next crew rotation to the International Space Station

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Launching humans into orbit requires more than just advanced rocketry. From traditional ceremonies in Russia to intensive technical briefings in Houston, the upcoming crew rotations involve a complex choreography of international training, mission overviews, and precise launch windows.

The preparation for orbital missions involves distinct, geographically diverse stages. On March 3, NASA's Jeff Williams and Roscosmos's Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka attended customary rituals at Russia's Star City Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre for Expedition 47-48. Following these rites, the team moved to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to prepare for a six-month mission aboard the Soyuz spacecraft, scheduled for launch on March 19.

In contrast, the SpaceX Crew-13 mission highlights the modern era of commercial partnership. This crew, led by commander Jessica Watkins, includes NASA astronauts Luke Delaney and CSA’s Joshua Kutryk, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teterymocnikov. Their mission profile relies on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket, launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Unlike the Soyuz's established path, this mission is slated for a launch no earlier than mid-September.

The human element of these missions is defined by deep scientific and military expertise. Commander Watkins, a geologist with a doctorate from UCLA, brings experience from the Curiosity rover science team and a previous 170-day mission in 2022. No other NASA astronaut has previously flown on two SpaceX Dragon launches, a feat she is set to achieve. Her crewmate, Luke Delaney, brings a background as a naval aviator with experience in the Asia Pacific region and Operation Enduring Freedom. Such diverse expertise is essential for the complex operations of the orbiting laboratory.

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