SpaceX Crew-12 Launches to International Space Station | NASA

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission successfully launched February 13, 2026, sending four astronauts on a science expedition to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch, originating from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 5:15 a.m. EST, marks the 12th crew rotation mission utilizing SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Aboard the Dragon spacecraft are NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The crew is expected to autonomously dock with the space-facing port of the ISS’s Harmony module around 3:15 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 14.

The successful launch was lauded by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who emphasized the collaborative effort involved. “With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” Isaacman stated. He further highlighted the importance of the research the crew will undertake, noting its potential to advance technologies for deep space exploration and provide benefits for life on Earth.

The mission’s success relies on a coordinated effort between SpaceX and NASA. SpaceX will monitor a series of automated spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California, while NASA will oversee space station operations from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Live coverage of the rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening is scheduled to resume on NASA’s platforms – NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube – starting at 1:15 p.m. EST on Saturday. Following docking, the crew will undergo procedures to prepare for entering the ISS, with the hatch opening anticipated around 5:00 p.m. EST. A welcome ceremony will then be held aboard the station.

Crew-12’s arrival will restore the ISS to its standard complement of seven crew members. They will join Expedition 74, which currently includes NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. This restores full capacity after the departure of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission on January 14, 2026.

The primary objective of Crew-12 is to conduct scientific research aimed at preparing for future human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and improving life on Earth. Several key research areas are planned, including investigations into pneumonia-causing bacteria and their impact on cardiovascular treatments. The crew will also study on-demand intravenous fluid generation, a critical technology for long-duration space missions, and research how physical characteristics affect blood flow during spaceflight.

Beyond human health, the mission will also focus on advancements in plant science. Experiments will include automated plant health monitoring and investigations into the interactions between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes, with the goal of enhancing food production capabilities in space. These studies are crucial for developing sustainable life support systems for extended space missions.

The Crew-12 mission is a key component of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a strategic partnership with private companies like SpaceX. This program aims to provide reliable and cost-effective access to space, maximizing the utilization of the ISS for research and development, and paving the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The program’s success demonstrates a shift towards a more collaborative and commercially driven approach to space exploration.

The launch, initially targeted for February 12, experienced a delay due to unfavorable weather conditions, highlighting the inherent challenges of spaceflight and the importance of meticulous planning and risk management. Despite the delay, the successful launch on February 13 underscores the resilience and adaptability of the teams involved.