Four astronauts prepare for a nine-month journey to the International Space Station
As the SpaceX Crew-12 mission nears its launch window, NASA and international partners are finalizing preparations. This upcoming rotation to the orbiting laboratory brings together a diverse crew of specialists, marking a significant milestone in the continued expansion of the Commercial Crew Program.
The Crew-12 mission is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than Sunday, February 15, 2026. The crew will depart from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, traveling aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission represents the 12th crew rotation flight conducted under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
The international crew is led by Commander Jessica Meir, a NASA astronaut and US Navy commander. A specialist in marine biology, Meir has previously served as a flight engineer for 205 days during Expedition 61/62 and participated in the first three all-woman spacewalks. Joining her are pilot Jack Hathaway, a NASA astronaut from the 2021 candidate class, mission specialist Sophie Adenot of the ESA, and mission specialist Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos.
As the launch date approaches, NASA and its partners, including the ESA and SpaceX, are reviewing options to potentially advance the original February 15 target. The crew's stay aboard the International Space Station is planned to last approximately nine months. Before traveling to Kennedy Space Center for launch, the astronauts will participate in final media briefings at the Johnson Space Center to discuss mission preparations and the upcoming rotation.
The mission involves complex coordination between various global agencies. Leadership for the mission overview includes figures such as Ken Bowersox from NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate and Steve Stich from the Kennedy Space Center's Commercial Crew Program, alongside ESA's Andreas Mogensen. This collaborative effort ensures the continued safety and scientific productivity of the orbiting laboratory.
Source: NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Overview News Conference (Jan. 30, 2026)
