SpaceX launches Crew-12 to ISS for eight-month scientific expedition

2026-02-13 - 17:45

SpaceX successfully launched its Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station on Friday, with a Falcon 9 rocket carrying an international crew of four from Florida's Space Launch Complex 40. The spacecraft transports NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot of France, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev for an eight-month science expedition. Research Agenda Supporting Deep Space Goals NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the mission's significance, stating: "The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth." The scientific program includes studies on pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve cardiovascular treatments, development of on-demand intravenous fluid generation systems for future space missions, and investigations into how physical characteristics affect blood flow during spaceflight. Additional experiments focus on automated plant health monitoring and plant-nitrogen fixing microbe interactions to enhance food production capabilities in space environments. Crew Rotation and Previous Mission Context Crew-12's arrival follows the Jan. 15 return of Crew-11 scientists aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. NASA disclosed that Crew-11's premature return resulted from monitoring a medical concern involving one crew member, though no additional details were provided. The current mission continues international cooperation in space, maintaining the long-standing partnership between NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos aboard the orbiting laboratory. The crew will spend approximately eight months conducting research supporting future lunar and Martian exploration objectives.