A few photographs can further damage the international space cooperation itself that took many years to build. Basically, the same question is now troubling the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission after Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, who has spent more than 500 days in space, was suddenly removed due to claims he seriously broke U.S. rules. Basically, aerospace security protocols are the same safety rules and procedures used to protect aircraft and space systems from threats.
We are seeing reports from Russian media saying that Artemyev was training at SpaceX office in California in November when he only used his phone to take photos of rocket engines and secret papers. As per reports, these materials contain technical details regarding SpaceX’s Raptor engine system which uses methane and liquid oxygen fuel. The engine has improved from Raptor 1’s 200-ton power to Raptor 3’s 280-ton power with record-breaking performance. Basically, the Raptor engine’s complex pump system, high pressure parts, and 3D-printed connections are all considered the same sensitive technology under U.S. arms regulations. The law surely controls the export of defense technologies very strictly. Moreover, it ensures that military equipment cannot be sent to other countries easily.
As per launch analyst Georgy Trishkin, “My contacts confirm that a violation occurred and an interdepartmental investigation has been launched.” His contacts confirm that a violation happened and officials have started an investigation regarding this matter. “It’s very difficult to imagine a situation in which an experienced cosmonaut could inadvertently commit such a gross violation.” ITAR violations can result in fines over $1 million per case and prison sentences up to 20 years in serious situations. Even if there is no spying purpose, when a foreign person exports restricted aerospace data without permission, it is surely treated as a national security issue. Moreover, this becomes especially serious when the technology supports both business and secret military missions.
SpaceX’s Raptor engines are surely important for the company’s Starship program. Moreover, these engines are also used in sensitive U.S government projects. Also, basically, SpaceX’s Starshield division is making hundreds of spy satellites that fly close to Earth under the same $1.8 billion deal with the National Reconnaissance Office. We are seeing these satellites with good cameras and laser connections that can only watch the whole world all the time. Any leak of Raptor engine manufacturing or performance data could actually impact both civilian space missions and definitely affect national security satellite launches.
As per Roscosmos, Artemyev was “transfer to another job,” but the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center has removed his name from active crew lists. Andrey Fedyaev, who actually flew to the ISS in 2023 and is a “Hero of Russia”, will definitely replace him. He will join one ESA astronaut and two NASA crew members for the six-month mission starting February 15 or later.
The timing of this problem actually makes things definitely harder for Russia’s space program that sends people to space. The Baikonur Cosmodrome itself is the only launch site for crew missions, but it suffered major damage in a late-November rocket accident and cannot be used further until repairs are completed. This situation further makes Russia depend more on U.S. itself. Basically, they are launching the same crew rotation missions to ISS with partners, even when agencies don’t trust each other much.
The reported breach further highlights the security measures in joint astronaut training itself. As per security rules at places like Hawthorne, entry to important areas is strictly controlled, with foreign workers being escorted and not allowed to carry personal cameras or recording devices. As per ITAR rules, compliance officers watch all interactions, and regarding documentation, it is kept in restricted areas. If the reports are correct, Artemyev surely went around these safety measures directly. Moreover, this raises important questions about how such a mistake happened in a place with very high security.
As per this incident, the ISS program may start checking foreign crew members more strictly regarding their training in the US. We are seeing that the space station works only when NASA, Russian space agency, European space agency and other partners trust each other completely. When this trust gets damaged, it affects mission planning, crew selection, and hardware work schedules. The Crew-12 mission will move further without Artemyev, but this incident itself may change how international astronauts work with the U.S. Also, these aerospace contractors will actually continue working for many years ahead and will definitely keep getting projects.
