Pyotr Dubrov Assumes ISS Command Ahead of Crew-12 Return

Cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov Assumes Command of Space Station Ahead of Crew-12 Return

An 11-member crew begins orbital handover and prepares for cargo operations as Crew-12 readies for Pacific splashdown.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov took command of the International Space Station from NASA astronaut Jessica Meir during an orbital ceremony on Oct. 4. The change of leadership comes as 11 crew members conduct handover tasks ahead of SpaceX Crew-12's planned departure on Oct. 7 and upcoming cargo mission maneuvers.

In an orbital ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 4, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir formally handed over leadership of the International Space Station to Roscosmos cosmonaut Pyotr Dubrov, marking the formal change of command for the complex.

A total of 11 crew members are currently living and working aboard the station. The group is conducting an ongoing crew swap and preparing the facility for several upcoming cargo mission activities.

Crew Swap Operations

The handover follows the arrival of four new Expedition 75 crew members on Thursday, Oct. 1. Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Josh Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov reached the station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which docked to the forward port of the Harmony module. The newly arrived team has begun a scheduled six-month mission aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Their arrival sets the stage for the departure of SpaceX Crew-12. The departing group includes Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot, and Andrey Fedyaev, who have been aboard the station since Feb. 14.

According to NASA, Crew-12 is scheduled to undock from the Harmony module at 8:05 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean at 11:34 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Long-Duration Stays and Cargo Movements

Dubrov, along with Anna Kikina and Anil Menon, will not return with Crew-12. The three crew members will remain in space aboard the station until spring 2027.

In addition to the personnel transition, the crew is managing unmanned resupply traffic. Northrop Grumman's uncrewed Cygnus XL resupply spacecraft, which has been attached to the Unity module since April 13, is scheduled to be released with the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm at the end of the week.

SpaceX will also soon launch a Dragon spacecraft from Florida on its 35th commercial resupply mission, delivering supplies and science to the Expedition 75 crew.

Frequently asked questions

When will SpaceX Crew-12 return to Earth?

Crew-12 is scheduled to undock from the Harmony module at 8:05 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and splash down in the Pacific Ocean at 11:34 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Who recently arrived on the International Space Station?

Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Josh Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov arrived at the station on Thursday, Oct. 1, aboard a SpaceX Dragon docked to Harmony's forward port for a six-month mission.

Which crew members are staying until spring 2027?

Pyotr Dubrov, Anna Kikina, and Anil Menon are scheduled to remain in space aboard the station until spring 2027.

What cargo missions are scheduled next?

Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL is scheduled to be released from the Unity module with the Canadarm2 robotic arm at the end of the week, and SpaceX will soon launch Dragon on its 35th commercial resupply mission from Florida.