Four crew members from three different space agencies will launch to the International Space Station no earlier than spring 2027 for a long-duration science expedition, according to NASA. Designated as the SpaceX Crew-14 mission, the flight marks the 14th commercial crew rotation conducted with SpaceX under NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program.
Crew Assignments and Station Integration
NASA astronauts Kayla Barron and Chris Birch will lead the flight deck as spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively. They will be joined by mission specialists Makoto Suwa of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Arutyun Kiviryan of Roscosmos. Upon docking with the orbiting laboratory, the four-person team will integrate directly into the space station’s Expedition 75/76 crews, contributing to continuous human habitation that has spanned more than 25 years.
Kayla Barron Returns to Orbit for Second Flight
For spacecraft commander Kayla Barron, this mission marks her second journey to the space station following her selection as a NASA astronaut in 2017. Barron graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering and earned a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Cambridge in England. As a U.S. Navy commander, she earned her submarine warfare officer qualification and completed three deployments aboard the USS Maine. She previously flew on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission in 2021, logging 177 days in space during Expeditions 66 and 67, where she performed two spacewalks and served as lead robotics operator for a third. Most recently, Barron worked on technology development and operational concepts for NASA’s Artemis program.
Chris Birch Prepares for First Spaceflight
Pilot Chris Birch will make her inaugural flight into space after being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021. Birch earned degrees in mathematics and biochemistry and molecular biophysics from the University of Arizona in Tucson, alongside a doctorate in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her teaching experience includes bioengineering at the University of California, Riverside, as well as communication and scientific writing at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. A decorated track cyclist, Birch competed on the U.S. National Team and earned a spot on the Olympic Long Team for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Her ground experience includes serving as a capsule communicator for space station crews and the Artemis II mission, working as crew lead for Expedition 72, and acting as a crew representative for NASA’s Orion Program.
International Contributions from JAXA and Roscosmos
Mission specialist Makoto Suwa enters his first spaceflight assignment following his selection as a JAXA astronaut candidate in 2023. Before joining the space agency, Suwa spent nearly a decade with the World Bank Group, served in Rwanda as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer, and worked with the United Nations World Meteorological Organization. He holds a doctorate in geosciences from Princeton University and completed astronaut basic training in 2024. Fellow mission specialist Arutyun Kiviryan also embarks on his first trip to the space station. A graduate of the Saint Petersburg Suvorov Military School and the Baltic State Technical University, Kiviryan trained in rocket science and computer-controlled machine operations before joining the Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Center Cosmonaut Corps in 2021, serving as a test cosmonaut since 2023.
Did You Know?
People have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station for more than 25 years, serving as a vital testing ground for human endurance, commercial low Earth orbit operations, and future exploration systems aimed at the Moon and Mars.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the SpaceX Crew-14 mission launch?
The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than spring 2027.
Which space agencies are represented on Crew-14?
The crew includes astronauts from NASA, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Roscosmos.
What expedition will the crew join upon arrival?
After docking with the International Space Station, the crew will join Expedition 75/76.
Is this Kayla Barron’s first time flying to the space station?
Stay updated on the latest developments in commercial crew rotations and human spaceflight by exploring our related coverage of NASA’s Artemis program and low Earth orbit operations.