Why Oleg Artemyev Was Pulled From Crew-12: Inside the U.S. Security Probe

Oleg Artemyev, one of Russia’s most experienced and recognizable cosmonauts, has been quietly removed from the SpaceX Crew-12 mission following a U.S. national security investigation into his alleged photographing of restricted technology during training in Hawthorne, California.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org by NASA, https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/pdm/

ISS-40 EVA-2 (j) Oleg Artemyev

Security Allegations Surrounding SpaceX Facility

According to sources familiar with the matter, the veteran cosmonaut was accused of taking images of non-public SpaceX hardware inside a controlled environment and then transporting those images off-site, a potential violation of ITAR export-control regulations. Such incidents automatically trigger review by American national security authorities, particularly when they involve foreign participants inside aerospace facilities.

"The issue was treated as a possible breach of ITAR rules, requiring immediate internal and government investigation," a source close to the process indicated.

While neither NASA nor Roscosmos disclosed the details publicly, the operational consequences became unmistakable: Artemyev’s name disappeared from upcoming flight documentation, and his training assignments were halted.

Who Is Oleg Artemyev?

Born in 1970 in Riga, Artemyev has served as a leading figure in the post-Soviet generation of Russian spaceflight. He completed three long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station, spending 560 days in orbit and performing multiple spacewalks. His popularity extends beyond the aerospace community due to his frequent photography from space and his well-known interest in mechanical and digital timepieces, which included wearing Omega Speedmaster, Omega X-33, and Vostok Komandirskie watches during missions.

Since 2019, Artemyev has also held a seat in the Moscow City Duma as a member of United Russia, giving him a dual public identity as both astronaut and politician.

Roscosmos’ Version: Transfer to Other Work

The official announcement from Roscosmos avoided any mention of the incident. Instead, the corporation reported that Artemyev had been “transferred to other work,” and that cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev would assume his place on the Crew-12 mission scheduled for the first half of 2026. Russian state media framed the change as routine, offering no further explanation.

"He has transitioned to other duties," the corporation noted, without elaboration on the circumstances behind the reassignment.

Fedyaev: Familiar and Reliable Crew Dragon Veteran

Fedyaev, who joined the cosmonaut corps in 2013, previously flew aboard SpaceX’s Crew-6 mission in 2023 and was awarded the Yuri Gagarin Medal the same year. Crew-12 will be his second flight, reinforcing the emerging norm of continued cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos despite geopolitical tensions.

Fragility of US–Russia Space Cooperation

The Artemyev episode underscores the fragile state of cooperation between American and Russian space agencies. While ISS operations continue, trust between the two nations is thinner than at any point since the 1990s. For U.S. officials, the unauthorized handling of sensitive material in a high-security aerospace environment is a direct concern. For Russian authorities, acknowledging such an incident publicly would bring political complications, especially given Artemyev’s prominent public role.

The case emerges at a moment when Russia has increasingly promoted its pivot toward domestic spacecraft development and closer aerospace collaboration with China, while NASA and SpaceX require strict compliance with security procedures from all foreign personnel.

Oleg Artemyev’s Career at Turning Point

For Artemyev, the long-term consequences remain uncertain. He continues to serve in the Moscow City Duma and has not faced public disciplinary action from Roscosmos, but being removed from a high-profile Crew Dragon mission marks a significant career disruption. Depending on the conclusions of the U.S. investigation, Artemyev may face lasting restrictions on access to American aerospace facilities.

"The removal from Crew-12 amounts to a major setback for one of Russia's most respected space veterans," one aerospace analyst noted.

For now, Artemyev’s future in international spaceflight hangs unresolved, and the incident offers a stark reminder of how quickly geopolitical boundaries can reshape individual careers even in the traditionally collaborative world of space exploration.