NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Prepares for Launch

Four astronauts set to embark on eight-month research mission to the International Space Station

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission is set to launch to the International Space Station, with four crew members - NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev - who will conduct a variety of scientific experiments during their eight-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.

Why it matters

The Crew-12 mission is the 12th crew rotation mission with SpaceX as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to facilitate more research and technology demonstrations on the International Space Station to benefit future Moon and Mars missions as well as life on Earth.

The details

The Crew-12 astronauts will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which has previously flown NASA's Crew-4 and Crew-9 missions, as well as private astronaut missions Axiom Mission 2 and 3. The crew will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. During their mission, they will join the Expedition 74 crew already aboard the space station.

  • The Crew-12 mission is scheduled to launch in early 2026.
  • The crew will spend approximately eight months aboard the International Space Station.

The players

Jessica Meir

NASA astronaut who will serve as spacecraft commander for the Crew-12 mission.

Jack Hathaway

NASA astronaut who will serve as spacecraft pilot for the Crew-12 mission.

Sophie Adenot

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut who will serve as a mission specialist for the Crew-12 mission.

Andrey Fedyaev

Roscosmos cosmonaut who will serve as a mission specialist for the Crew-12 mission.

SpaceX

The private aerospace company that will provide the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket for the Crew-12 mission.

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What’s next

The Crew-12 astronauts and support teams are currently progressing through Dragon preflight milestones, and preparing the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster for its second flight. After system checkouts and component certification, the integrated spacecraft and rocket will roll to the launch pad for a dry dress rehearsal with the crew and an integrated static fire test before the targeted launch date.

The takeaway

The Crew-12 mission is a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between NASA and SpaceX, as they continue to facilitate more research and technology demonstrations on the International Space Station to benefit future space exploration and life on Earth.