A Russian cosmonaut has been removed from SpaceX’s upcoming Crew 12 mission following reported violations of U.S. national security regulations. Oleg Artemyev, a veteran of three previous spaceflights, was scheduled to participate in the mission aimed at the International Space Station (ISS), set to launch no earlier than February 15, 2024. His replacement, Andrei Fedyayev, will now take his place in the four-member crew.
The announcement by Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, indicated that Artemyev’s removal was linked to his transfer to another position. However, according to the investigative outlet The Insider, the situation is more complicated. The report claims that Artemyev was removed due to a breach of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which governs the transfer of sensitive technology and information in the U.S.
Details from the report suggest that Artemyev, 54, had allegedly taken photographs of SpaceX documentation and used his mobile phone to export classified information. Launch analyst Gregory Trishkin confirmed to The Insider that an interdepartmental investigation is underway. He expressed skepticism that an experienced cosmonaut could unintentionally commit such a serious violation, stating, “Removing someone from a mission two and a half months before launch without a clear explanation is more of an indirect sign, but it’s indicative.”
Artemyev’s alleged violations reportedly occurred during training at SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California, where he was said to have photographed SpaceX engines and other sensitive technology.
Crew 12 is an important mission for SpaceX, representing the twelfth operational astronaut flight it will conduct to the ISS under a contract with NASA. The mission will send Fedyayev, along with Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency (ESA) and two yet-to-be-named astronauts, to the ISS for approximately six months.
Artemyev holds the distinction of having spent a total of 560 days in space across his previous missions, which launched in March 2014, March 2018, and March 2022. His last mission took place shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an event that has significantly impacted international relations and space collaboration.
In July 2022, Roscosmos faced criticism after posting images of Artemyev and other cosmonauts on the ISS holding flags of Russian-backed separatist regions in Ukraine. This action prompted condemnation from NASA and ESA officials, who emphasized that the ISS should not be used for political propaganda.
As the preparations for Crew 12 continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and integrity of the mission amidst the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions. SpaceX and NASA have yet to comment on the situation regarding Artemyev’s removal.
