NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Blasts Off to Space Station

Diverse Crew of Four Embarks on Eight-Month Mission to the ISS

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:53am

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A bold, highly structured abstract painting in soft, flat colors featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conveying the structural order and complex forces of space exploration without using any text or symbols.As NASA and SpaceX push the boundaries of space exploration, this abstract visualization captures the intricate forces and concepts that underpin their historic Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission is set to launch no earlier than 5:15 a.m. EST on Friday, February 13, weather permitting. The crew of four astronauts, led by NASA's Jessica Meir, will embark on an eight-month stay at the International Space Station. This marks SpaceX's 12th crew rotation and 13th crewed flight under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Why it matters

The Crew-12 mission represents the growing partnership between public and private space exploration, as NASA continues to rely on commercial providers like SpaceX to ferry astronauts to the ISS. However, the rapid pace of commercialization has raised concerns about the potential costs and risks associated with the privatization of space travel.

The details

The Crew-12 mission will feature a diverse crew, including NASA astronaut Jessica Meir as commander, pilot Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The crew has been in quarantine at the Kennedy Space Center since February 6, preparing for their historic journey. If all goes according to plan, Crew-12 will dock at the space station around 3:15 p.m. on February 14, just in time for a Valentine's Day rendezvous in orbit.

  • The launch is set for no earlier than 5:15 a.m. EST on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • The crew arrived at the Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2026, and has been in quarantine since then.
  • Crew-12 is expected to dock at the International Space Station around 3:15 p.m. on February 14, 2026.

The players

Jessica Meir

A NASA astronaut who will serve as the commander of the Crew-12 mission.

Jack Hathaway

A NASA astronaut who will serve as the pilot for the Crew-12 mission.

Sophie Adenot

An ESA astronaut who will be part of the Crew-12 mission.

Andrey Fedyaev

A Roscosmos cosmonaut who will be part of the Crew-12 mission.

SpaceX

An American aerospace company that will provide the Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-12 mission.

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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

Coverage of the Crew-12 launch will begin at 3:15 a.m. EST on February 13, 2026, on platforms like NASA+, Amazon Prime, and NASA's YouTube channel. If all goes according to plan, the crew will dock at the space station around 3:15 p.m. on February 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The Crew-12 mission represents another milestone in the growing partnership between NASA and commercial space companies, but it also raises questions about the pace of commercialization and the potential risks and costs associated with private space travel. As the space industry continues to evolve, it will be important to balance innovation with responsible oversight and public safety.