CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – I was interviewed by WESH 2 NBC News Orlando about NASAs upcoming Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as the orbiting science outpost enters its final five years or so of operating life.
We also discussed NASAs plans about what comes next after the ISS is retired – namely commercial space stations
Crew-12 is slated for launch no earlier than (NET) Feb 15 on a SpaceX Crew Dragon atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
“We’re entering the final five years or so of the International Space Station, which is kind of sad,” said Dr. Ken Kremer of SpaceUpClose.com. “It’s been great, but everything must come to an end. I actually wish it would go on a little bit farther, but it all depends on funding.”
With NASAs Artemis II crewed mission to the Moon slated for NET Feb. 6 its possible that the Florida Space Coast could see two momentous human spaceflight missions lifting off less than 2 weeks apart -and from adjacent pads at KSC – namely pad 39A and 39B.
“And it’s important for the Space Coast because of employees — a lot of people. It’s important for our country. It brings know-how, it brings expertise, brings innovation, and that all creates jobs and is beneficial for the economy in Florida and across the U.S.,” he said.
WESH 2 NBC story and video with my comments as editor and founder of Space UpClose news website can be viewed here:
story/video: https://www.wesh.com/article/nasa-spacex-crew-12-mission-iss-final-years/69898299
WESH 2 Story
NASA prepares for SpaceX Crew-12 mission as ISS enters final years
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA is preparing for the SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which will launch from the Space Coast no earlier than February 15, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as it enters its final planned years of operation.
For more than 25 years, astronauts have lived and worked continuously aboard the ISS, pushing the limits of science in ways not possible on Earth. As NASA looks ahead to the station’s final years, experts say its legacy is far from over.
“We’re entering the final five years or so of the International Space Station, which is kind of sad,” said Dr. Ken Kremer of SpaceUpClose.com. “It’s been great, but everything must come to an end. I actually wish it would go on a little bit farther, but it all depends on funding.”
The international crew for the upcoming mission will join Expedition 74 aboard the station for a long-duration science expedition. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir will command the mission, alongside pilot Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Together, they will conduct experiments designed to benefit life on Earth and help prepare humans for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Dr. Kremer emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in space, particularly for Florida’s Space Coast. “And it’s important for the Space Coast because of employees — a lot of people. It’s important for our country. It brings know-how, it brings expertise, brings innovation, and that all creates jobs and is beneficial for the economy in Florida and across the U.S.,” he said.
NASA plans to operate the ISS through 2030 while transitioning to commercially owned space stations, allowing the agency to focus on deep-space exploration under the Artemis program. SpaceX has been awarded the contract to deorbit the ISS around 2031, marking the end of an era, but NASA officials say the next generation of space stations is already taking shape.
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Ken Kremer TV interviews:
Dec 31/Jan 1, 2026 WESH 2 NBC News Orlando: my commentary about the future of the ISS as it enters its final 5 years and next upcoming crew 12 launch to the station on NET Feb 15
story/video: https://www.wesh.com/article/nasa-spacex-crew-12-mission-iss-final-years/69898299
Dec 30/31 WESH 2 NBC News Orlando: my commentary about top space stories of 2025 & upcoming 2026 led by NASA Artemis II liftoff net Feb 6 with 1st human return to the moon in >50 years!! NASA must receive full funding to accomplish critical Artemis III human lunar landing and maintain leadership in space & science threatened by Trump devastating NASA budget cuts that help communist China
story/video: https://www.wesh.com/article/space-coast-record-year-artemis-ii-prepares-launch/69895356
Dec 24/25 Fox 35 Orlando: my comments about what the confirmation of Jared Isaacman means for NASA ! Impact of trump devastating budget cuts to science and space exploration missions ? + whats up with Tory Bruno departing ULA ?? My thoughts on why snd what might be ahead ??
story/video: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/space-coast-shakeup-jared-isaacman-confirmed-nasa-chief-while-ula-ceo-resigns
video: https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/fmc-olfsg4foeyrzdqug
Dec 16/17 WESH 2 NBC News Orlando: my commentary about Chinese rocket companies seeking to replicate SpaceX starship and why America could lose leadership in space and science
story/video: https://www.wesh.com/article/chinese-companies-copying-spacex-starship-rockets/69773602
Dec 17/18 WESH 2 NBC News Orlando: Watch comments about what’s the impact of billionaire & 2x space flyer Jared Isaacman being confirmed as next NASA Administrator – today by the US senate. He must work to restore full funding to NASA and NASA science ! Reverse trumps devastating budget cuts!
Dec 2: While on the cruise I did an interview with WESH 2 NBC News Orlando about SpaceX receiving approval To build Starship launch pads at pad 37 on the Florida space coast
https://wesh.com/article/spacex-approval-starship-launch-pads-cape-canaveral/69599720
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