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Cape Canaveral Today
By the People, for the People
SpaceX Crew Blasts Off to Space Station
NASA's first medical evacuation from the International Space Station prompts a quick crew replacement mission.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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A new crew of four astronauts from the U.S., France, and Russia rocketed to the International Space Station on Friday to replace the astronauts who had to return to Earth early due to a medical issue, in NASA's first such evacuation. The replacement crew is expected to stay on the orbiting lab for eight to nine months.
Why it matters
With longer space missions becoming more common, NASA is constantly evaluating the medical capabilities on the International Space Station and looking at upgrades to handle potential health issues that may arise. This crew change also comes as NASA prepares for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar voyage in over 50 years.
The details
The new crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev. They will join the three astronauts who have been keeping the space station running for the past month. The crew will test new medical technologies, including a filter to turn drinking water into emergency IV fluid and an ultrasound system using artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
- The crew launched on Friday, February 14, 2026.
- They are expected to arrive at the space station on Saturday.
- Their mission is expected to last eight to nine months, until the fall.
The players
Jessica Meir
A NASA astronaut making her second trip to the International Space Station.
Jack Hathaway
A NASA astronaut new to space.
Sophie Adenot
A French astronaut, only the second French woman to launch to space.
Andrei Fedyaev
A Russian cosmonaut making his second trip to the space station.
Claudie Haignere
The first French woman to fly to space, who was 14 when she went to Russia's Mir space station in 1996 and is now cheering on Adenot.
What they’re saying
“It turns out Friday the 13th is a very lucky day.”
— SpaceX Launch Control (nwaonline.com)
“That was quite a ride.”
— Jessica Meir, Crew Commander (nwaonline.com)
“Bon vol, and Ad astra.”
— Claudie Haignere, First French Woman in Space (nwaonline.com)
What’s next
The new crew will perform a simulated test of their moon-landing skills, drawing extra attention because of the impending launch of the Artemis II mission, humanity's first lunar voyage in more than half a century. A ship-to-ship radio linkup is planned between the two crews.
The takeaway
This crew change highlights NASA's constant efforts to upgrade the medical capabilities on the International Space Station as missions become longer, as well as the agency's preparations for the upcoming Artemis II moon mission, the first crewed lunar voyage in over 50 years.
