NASA Crew-15 Astronauts Begin Six-Month ISS Mission
Summary: Crew-15 docked with the ISS on 2026-07-26, beginning a six-month science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory.
On July 26, 2026, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying the NASA Crew-15 crew successfully docked with the International Space Station. Following hatch opening, the four astronauts officially entered the orbital laboratory, commencing a six-month residency for scientific research.
During their approximately six-month stay, the Crew-15 team will conduct a broad range of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations spanning life sciences, physical sciences, Earth observation, and space technology. The astronauts will also perform routine maintenance and system upgrades aboard the station, with multiple extravehicular activities planned for equipment installation and repairs outside the station.
The arrival of Crew-15 continues the International Space Station's uninterrupted human presence. Since 2000, the ISS has been operating continuously for over 25 years, serving as the largest orbital facility in low Earth orbit and providing a microgravity research platform for institutions worldwide. According to NASA, the scientific results from this mission will provide critical data to support future deep-space exploration endeavors.
The crew is expected to complete their mission and return to Earth in early 2027, with the exact return date subject to mission progress and weather conditions.