SpaceX Delivers International Crew to International Space Station

Elon Musk's company transports two Americans, one Russian, and one French astronaut to the ISS.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully transported an international crew of four astronauts, including two Americans, one Russian, and one French astronaut from the European Space Agency, to the International Space Station. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA's Crew-12 docked at the ISS on Saturday afternoon.

Why it matters

This mission is crucial to maintaining a continuous human presence on the International Space Station, which has been operating with a reduced crew since January when an astronaut had to return to Earth early due to a medical issue. The successful delivery of this new crew will allow the ISS to resume normal operations with a full complement of seven astronauts.

The details

The crew included NASA astronauts Commander Jessica Meir and Pilot Jack Hathaway, Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, and French astronaut Sophie Adenot. The rocket took off from Florida's Cape Canaveral space station on Friday morning and reached the ISS about 34 hours later. This was Meir and Fedyaev's second time in space, with Meir having participated in the first-ever all-female spacewalk in 2019.

  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 14, 2026 at 5:15 a.m. EST.
  • The crew docked at the International Space Station on February 15, 2026 at 3:15 p.m. EST.

The players

Jessica Meir

NASA astronaut and commander of the Crew-12 mission.

Jack Hathaway

NASA astronaut and pilot of the Crew-12 mission.

Andrey Fedyaev

Russian cosmonaut on the Crew-12 mission.

Sophie Adenot

French astronaut from the European Space Agency on the Crew-12 mission.

SpaceX

The private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk that successfully transported the Crew-12 astronauts to the International Space Station.

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What they’re saying

“We have bridged the legacy of humankind's continuous presence in space spanning more than 25 years at this very site.”

— Jessica Meir, NASA Astronaut and Crew-12 Commander (nypost.com)

“As we look back at Earth from these windows, we are reminded that cooperation is not just possible, it is essential. Up here, there are no borders and hope is universal.”

— Jessica Meir, NASA Astronaut and Crew-12 Commander (nypost.com)

What’s next

The Crew-12 astronauts are expected to spend eight months aboard the International Space Station, replacing the previous crew that had to return to Earth early due to a medical issue.

The takeaway

This successful mission by SpaceX demonstrates the continued international cooperation and scientific progress being made aboard the International Space Station, which has maintained a continuous human presence in space for over 25 years.