SpaceX and NASA prepare for Crew-12 launch to the ISS with diverse international team

SpaceX and NASA are gearing up for the much-anticipated launch of Crew-12, the latest mission under the Commercial Crew Program, which marks the 12th operational crew rotation to the International Space Station (ISS). Scheduled for liftoff at 5:15 AM EST (10:15 UTC) on February 13, the Crew-12 team will launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission will transport a diverse crew of four astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Russia’s Roscosmos to the ISS for an extensive eight-month stay as part of Expedition 74/75.

Following the launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage will separate and return to a newly constructed landing zone adjacent to the launch pad, where it will make a controlled landing. The Crew Dragon capsule, named Freedom, will remain in orbit for approximately 34 hours before docking with the ISS at 3:15 PM EST (20:15 UTC) on February 14.

The Crew-12 team consists of an international quartet, led by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, who will serve as the mission’s commander. Meir, originally from Caribou, Maine, has an impressive academic background, holding a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Brown University, a Master of Science in space studies, and a PhD in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Her research has focused on the physiology of marine mammals and birds. Before her astronaut selection in 2013, Meir supported human physiology studies at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Helping to navigate Crew-12’s success as the pilot is NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, a South Windsor, Connecticut native. Hathaway graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and has an extensive military background, including participation in Operation Enduring Freedom. His educational credentials include master’s degrees in flight dynamics and national security. Selected in December 2021, this will mark Hathaway’s debut flight into space.

The mission will also feature two specialists: ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Adenot, who holds an engineering degree and a master’s in human factors engineering from MIT, has piloted helicopters on search-and-rescue missions and graduated as a helicopter test pilot. Fedyaev, born in Serov, Russia, comes with a robust aviation background from the Russian Air Force, bringing valuable experience from his previous flight to the ISS earlier this year.

Originally, veteran Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev was slated for the mission but was replaced by Fedyaev in late 2025, reportedly due to job transitions and regulatory issues. Despite the last-minute crew change, Fedyaev’s experience with Crew Dragon reduces training time, ensuring a smooth transition.

As the Crew-12 mission approaches, NASA and SpaceX have also been addressing potential launch timeline challenges resulting from the early return of the last crew, Crew-11, which returned due to a medical issue. Although the original launch was rescheduled from February 15 to February 13, recent weather concerns have necessitated another adjustment, pushing the launch to February 13.

Upon arrival at the ISS, the Crew-12 members will engage in a series of scientific experiments ranging from microbial studies to human health investigations, while also maintaining the aging station. The crew will also oversee the docking of various spacecraft throughout their stay, which includes missions from both Russian and international partners.

Riding in the Crew Dragon Freedom, which is making its fifth flight to space, Crew-12 will benefit from SpaceX’s advancements in crew transport technology. The Falcon 9, now approaching its 600th mission, has a proven track record of successful launches and landings, and Freedom’s name was chosen to symbolize a fundamental human right in space exploration, harking back to the original Freedom 7 flight in 1961.

Everything is set for the Crew-12 mission, and as the international mod in space exploration continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the launch pad as this skilled crew prepares to embark on a groundbreaking journey to the stars.