SpaceX Crew-12 Launches to International Space Station
Cape Canaveral, Florida – NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, February 13, 2026, carrying four astronauts to conduct research and maintain the orbiting laboratory. The launch, which took place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was initially delayed two days due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The crew is comprised of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, the mission commander, and Jack Hathaway, the pilot. They are joined by European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, both serving as mission specialists. This mission represents a significant step in continued international collaboration in space exploration.
According to NASA, the Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, has previously supported NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 and Crew-9 missions, as well as private astronaut missions Axiom Mission 2, and 3. The crew is expected to arrive at the ISS around 3:15 pm on Saturday, February 14, 2026, and will spend approximately nine months aboard the station.
Crew-12 will replace Crew-11, who returned to Earth in January – a month earlier than scheduled due to a medical issue. The ISS had been operating with a reduced crew of three astronauts in the interim. NASA has not disclosed specific details regarding the health concern that prompted the early return of Crew-11.
During their eight-month stay, the astronauts will focus on a variety of scientific experiments designed to advance research and technology for future missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as provide benefits for life on Earth. Research areas include studies of pneumonia-causing bacteria, on-demand intravenous fluid generation for space missions, automated plant health monitoring, and investigations into plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe interactions to improve food production in space. They will also study how physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight.
Sophie Adenot’s participation marks a milestone as the first French astronaut to travel to the ISS in 25 years. This launch underscores France’s growing ambitions in space travel and scientific advancement.
