NASA and SpaceX Advance Crew-12 Launch Following ISS Medical Evacuation

NASA and SpaceX have rescheduled the launch of the Crew-12 mission to February 11, 2026, aiming to expedite the replacement of the International Space Station's (ISS) crew following an unprecedented medical evacuation.

The Crew-12 team comprises NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. They are set to embark on a nine-month mission aboard the ISS, focusing on scientific research and station maintenance.

This adjustment follows the early return of Crew-11 on January 15, 2026, due to a medical issue affecting one of its members. NASA has not disclosed details about the health concern but confirmed that the decision to return was precautionary.

The Crew-12 mission is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 6:00 a.m. EST on February 11. Backup launch opportunities are available on February 12 and 13.

This mission marks the second spaceflight for both Meir and Fedyaev, while Hathaway and Adenot will be making their inaugural journeys into space.

The ISS, operational for over 25 years, is slated for decommissioning in 2030. The Crew-12 mission underscores ongoing international collaboration in space exploration, even amid terrestrial challenges.