SpaceX Crew-12 Astronauts Ready for Launch to ISS

NASA and SpaceX prepare for two-day trip to the International Space Station

Feb. 12, 2026 at 12:55pm

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NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The crew is commanded by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and includes NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedaev. The launch is scheduled for 5:51 a.m. EST (1051 GMT) from SpaceX's pad at Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Why it matters

The Crew-12 mission is a replacement crew for Crew-11, which returned to Earth earlier than planned last month in the first-ever medical evacuation of the space station. The Crew-12 astronauts will embark on an 8-month mission to the ISS, continuing the ongoing research and operations on the orbiting laboratory.

The details

The Crew-12 astronaut team is commanded by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, with NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway serving as pilot. The crew is rounded out by European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot of France and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedaev. The launch will take place from SpaceX's pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

  • Crew-12 is scheduled to launch on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 5:51 a.m. EST (1051 GMT).
  • The crew was originally scheduled to launch in March, but their flight was moved up after the early return of Crew-11 last month.

The players

Jessica Meir

NASA astronaut and commander of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.

Jack Hathaway

NASA astronaut and pilot of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.

Sophie Adenot

European Space Agency astronaut on the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.

Andrey Fedaev

Russian cosmonaut on the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.

SpaceX

The American aerospace company that will launch the Crew-12 astronauts to the International Space Station aboard its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Space.com's Josh Dinner is on the scene for the relief crew's launch and will be providing updates over the next day.

The takeaway

The Crew-12 mission represents the continued partnership between NASA and SpaceX to maintain a continuous U.S. presence on the International Space Station, with the crew set to embark on an 8-month mission to the orbiting laboratory.