- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Hawthorne Today
By the People, for the People
NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Launches to ISS
Meet the Astronauts & Mission Details (2026)
Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:38pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Crew-12 mission's bold exploration of the cosmos represents humanity's ongoing quest to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and technological innovation.Hawthorne TodayNASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched on April 11, 2026, sending four crew members - NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev - to the International Space Station. The Dragon spacecraft, carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is slated to dock autonomously at the space-facing port of the Harmony module.
Why it matters
The Crew-12 mission marks another decisive step in international cooperation and human spaceflight, showcasing how NASA, SpaceX, and partner space agencies push the boundaries of exploration while delivering real-world benefits. However, there are ongoing debates about the risks, costs, and pace of deep-space ambitions, and how to balance bold exploration with practical priorities on Earth.
The details
The mission sent four crew members toward the International Space Station: NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The Dragon spacecraft, carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is slated to dock autonomously at the space-facing port of the Harmony module around 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, February 14.
- The Crew-12 mission lifted off at 5:15 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 11, 2026.
- The Dragon spacecraft is slated to dock autonomously at the space-facing port of the Harmony module around 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
The players
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.
SpaceX
An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.
Jessica Meir
A NASA astronaut who is part of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.
Jack Hathaway
A NASA astronaut who is part of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.
Sophie Adenot
An ESA astronaut who is part of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.
What they’re saying
“The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep-space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth.”
— Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator
What’s next
After docking, the crew will undock from their spacesuits, unload cargo, and open the hatch to the Harmony module around 5 p.m. A welcome ceremony aboard the station will follow shortly after hatch opening, with NASA providing additional coverage.
The takeaway
The Crew-12 mission highlights the ongoing collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners to advance human spaceflight and exploration, while also raising important questions about balancing the risks, costs, and practical benefits of these ambitious endeavors.
