Astronauts Arrive at ISS for 8-Month Mission After Medical Emergency

NASA Commander Jessica Meir leads an international crew, including France's second woman in space, to the ISS for scientific research.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Four new astronauts, including NASA Commander Jessica Meir, have arrived at the International Space Station for an eight-month mission of scientific research. The crew launched from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX rocket and will conduct experiments to help prepare for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.

Why it matters

The arrival of this new crew restores the ISS to full capacity after several astronauts were forced to evacuate early last month due to a medical emergency, the first such incident in 65 years of human spaceflight. This mission highlights the continued international cooperation and scientific focus of the ISS program.

The details

The crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, France's Sophie Adenot, and Russia's Andrei Fedyaev. Meir and Fedyaev have both been to the ISS before, while Adenot is only the second French woman in space. The astronauts will spend the next 8-9 months conducting research and experiments to benefit life on Earth and prepare for future Moon and Mars missions.

  • The crew launched from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX rocket on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • The spacecraft docked with the ISS on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 3:15 p.m. CT.

The players

Jessica Meir

NASA Commander and marine biologist, who has previously been to the ISS and was part of the first all-female spacewalk in 2019.

Jack Hathaway

NASA astronaut and captain in the U.S. Navy.

Sophie Adenot

French military helicopter pilot, and the second French woman in space.

Andrei Fedyaev

Russian cosmonaut and former military pilot, who has also been to the ISS before.

Jared Isaacman

NASA Administrator.

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What they’re saying

“That was quite the ride. We have left the Earth, but the Earth has not left us.”

— Jessica Meir, NASA Commander (BBC News)

“The first time we looked at the Earth was mindblowing. We saw no lines, no borders.”

— Sophie Adenot (NASA)

“What an absolutely wonderful start to the day. This mission has shown in many ways what it means to be mission-focused at NASA.”

— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator (NASA)

What’s next

The crew will spend the next 8-9 months conducting scientific research and experiments on the International Space Station.

The takeaway

This mission highlights the continued international cooperation and scientific focus of the ISS program, as well as NASA's ability to quickly adapt and respond to unexpected challenges, such as the recent medical emergency that forced an early evacuation of several astronauts.