NASA and SpaceX Clear Crew-12 for Early Morning Liftoff

After navigating a series of weather delays, NASA and SpaceX have officially confirmed a “Go” for the Crew-12 mission. The four-person team is set to depart for the International Space Station (ISS) in a pre-dawn launch that marks a return to full staffing for the orbiting laboratory.

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Mission Briefing

• Launch Window: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 | 5:15 a.m. EST
• Launch Pad: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
• Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon Freedom
• Arrival: Scheduled for Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) at ~3:15 p.m. EST

Meet the Crew

This international cohort brings a blend of veteran leadership and fresh perspectives:

• Jessica Meir (NASA): Serving as Commander, this is Meir’s second trip to the ISS. She previously made history for her participation in the first all-woman spacewalks.
• Jack Hathaway (NASA): A U.S. Navy Commander and rookie astronaut stepping into the Pilot seat for his inaugural spaceflight.
• Sophie Adenot (ESA): Representing France, Adenot is the first from the European Space Agency’s 2022 class to reach orbit.
• Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos): The Russian veteran returns for his second long-duration mission as a Mission Specialist.

Why This Mission Matters

The arrival of Crew-12 is a logistical necessity. Since the early return of the Crew-11 team on January 15 due to a medical situation, the ISS has been operating with a reduced crew of only three members.

The Mission Agenda Includes:

1. Full Staffing: Restoring the station to a seven-person capacity.
2. Scientific Research: Conducting over 200 experiments in microgravity.
3. Lunar Prep: Testing life-support technologies critical for the upcoming Artemis moon missions.

Pro-Tip for Viewers: Live coverage is currently streaming on NASA+ and the NASA YouTube channel. The “crew ingress” (when they board the capsule) is often the most tense and fascinating part of the broadcast.