NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Set for February 11 Launch to ISS

NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission is scheduled to launch on February 11, 2026, at 6:01 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission will transport four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for a nine-month stay, restoring the station's crew to its full complement following the early return of Crew-11 due to a medical emergency.

The Crew-12 team comprises NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, serving as mission commander, and Jack Hathaway, as pilot. They are joined by European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, both serving as mission specialists. The crew will travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule "Freedom," which has previously supported multiple missions, including NASA's Crew-4 and Crew-9, as well as private astronaut missions Axiom Mission 2 and 3.

During their mission, the crew will conduct a variety of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing research for future Moon and Mars missions, as well as benefiting life on Earth. These include studies on pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve treatments, on-demand intravenous fluid generation for future space missions, automated plant health monitoring, investigations into plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe interactions to enhance food production in space, and research on how physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight.

The launch follows a recent issue with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage during a Starlink satellite mission on February 2, which led to a temporary grounding of the fleet. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has since cleared the Falcon 9 to fly again, and NASA and SpaceX have determined there is no increased risk to crew safety during ascent. The Crew-12 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program and marks the 12th crew rotation mission with SpaceX to the ISS.

"NASA and SpaceX have determined, since the Falcon 9 second stage flies a different deorbit profile for NASA's crewed missions, there is no increased risk to crew safety during ascent."