SpaceX Launches 12th Long-Duration Crew to International Space Station

The mission marks the 12th long-duration ISS team that NASA has flown aboard a SpaceX launch vehicle since 2020.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A SpaceX rocket carrying a crew of two U.S. NASA astronauts, a French astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida early on Friday. The four-person team is headed to the International Space Station for an eight-month science mission in microgravity.

Why it matters

The Crew-12 mission is the latest in a series of long-duration ISS flights that NASA has conducted using SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, marking the continued partnership between the space agency and the private spaceflight company. The mission will carry out a range of scientific experiments aimed at supporting future Artemis missions to the Moon.

The details

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at around 5:15 a.m. EST, carrying the Crew Dragon capsule dubbed "Freedom." The crew includes veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, rookie astronaut Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. They are set to reach the space station on Saturday after a 34-hour flight and will join the current ISS occupants for an eight-month science mission.

  • The Falcon 9 rocket launched at around 5:15 a.m. EST on February 13, 2026.
  • The crew is expected to reach the International Space Station on Saturday afternoon.

The players

SpaceX

An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk.

Jessica Meir

A veteran NASA astronaut and marine biologist who is leading the Crew-12 mission, her second trip to the ISS.

Jack Hathaway

A former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and rookie astronaut who is part of the Crew-12 mission.

Sophie Adenot

A European Space Agency astronaut and master helicopter pilot from France who is part of the Crew-12 mission.

Andrey Fedyaev

A Russian cosmonaut and former military pilot who is on his second mission to the ISS as part of the Crew-12 team.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you team, that was quite a ride. Crew-12 is grateful and ready for the journey ahead. We're on our way.”

— Jessica Meir (NASA-SpaceX webcast)

What’s next

The Crew-12 team will conduct a range of scientific, medical, and technical research experiments during their eight-month stay on the International Space Station.

The takeaway

The successful launch of Crew-12 marks the 12th long-duration crew that NASA has sent to the ISS aboard a SpaceX vehicle, further cementing the partnership between the space agency and the private spaceflight company. The mission's research agenda aims to support future Artemis missions to the Moon as NASA works to expand human presence in space.