KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – After several weather related delays, the NASA SpaceX Crew-12 mission with a multinational crew of 4 astronauts and cosmonauts are at last bound for the International Space Station (ISS) after launching Friday the 13th of February on an 8+ month science expedition to the Earth orbiting laboratory.
Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched at 5:15 a.m. EST Friday, Feb. 13, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled a Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
Credit: Ken Kremer / Spaceupclose.com
In addition SpaceX nailed the 1st real RTLS Landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster back at newly upgraded pad 40 – some eight minutes after liftoff.
The Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1101.2 landed back at pad 40 on its 2nd trip to space and back
The launch on the SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew Dragon Freedom stack was delayed several times due to poor weather on the ascent abort corridor along the US. East Coast.
The Dragon spacecraft is heading for a Valentines Day docking autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14.
“With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
“The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible. We undertake these missions with a clear understanding of risk, managing it responsibly so we can continue expanding human presence in low Earth orbit while preparing for our next great leap to the Moon and onward to Mars.”
Meir and Fedyaev are veterans of 1 flight each.
Hathaway and Adenot are rookie spaceflyers
Crew-12 is the 12th crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s human space transportation system and its 13th flight with astronauts for NASA, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the International Space Station through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Crew-12 counts as only the second human spaceflight to be launched from pad 40 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
During its mission, Crew-12 will conduct scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.
Participating crew members will study pneumonia-causing bacteria to improve cardiovascular treatments, on-demand intravenous fluid generation for future space missions, and research on how physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight.
Other experiments include automated plant health monitoring and investigations of plant and nitrogen-fixing microbe interactions to enhance food production in space.
Once the crew docks with the space station, they will be greeted by NASA astronaut Chris Williams, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Mikaev and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, who make up the crew of Expedition 74.
After Crew-12 docks the ISS will be restored to its full complement of 7 crew members
Crew-12 launch of crew of 4 astronauts and cosmonauts was moved forward following the medical evacuation of Crew-11 after one of the crew fell ill and required medical evaluation back on Earth.
Crew-11 splashed down safely the next day overnight off the coast of California
All the crew appeared OK and there were no obvious signs that anyone was visibly ill
I was interviewed live by Fox 35 Orlando on Feb. 9 for my comments and analysis update previewing the launch of the NASA SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station with 4 astronauts and cosmonauts on board, the weather outlook and the scientific research the crew will conduct during their 8+ month science expedition to the Earth orbiting laboratory.
Watch my live interview for latest updates on NASA SpaceX Crew-12 launch to ISS – just delayed a day to Feb. 12 at 538 AM due to poor ascent abort weather.
Video links:
https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/fmc-w57w3mq4ciylkz4c
https://www.wogx.com/video/fmc-k6zn2fhrf1gk2zw7
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/nasa-upgraded-crew-12-iss-195354192.html
Caption: Previewing NASA SpaceX Crew-12 mission to ISS: Ken Kremer, Managing Editor of Space UpClose joins FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer live via Zoom on Feb. 9 2026 to break down the latest details from NASA and SpaceX’s news conference previewing the Crew-12 mission to International Space Station. Plus, new details on the mission timeline after weather forced NASA to delay their launch, originally scheduled for Wednesday morning. Screenshot: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/Fox 35 Orlando
Also we discussed an update about the science on board investigating how blood clots form in zero-G, any new medications or medical diagnostic gear in light of Crew 11 medical evacuation, and how astronauts will attempt to process on board recycled water from UPA for medical IV bags – all very exciting!
Myself & Jean Wright of Space UpClose had just attended the prelaunch briefing at KSC press site and learned a lot where I asked several question to the NASA, ESA and SpaceX managers – I’m sharing in the interview.
Ken Kremer recent TV interviews:
https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/fmc-w57w3mq4ciylkz4c
https://www.wogx.com/video/fmc-k6zn2fhrf1gk2zw7
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/nasa-upgraded-crew-12-iss-195354192.html
https://www.wesh.com/article/crew-12-rocket-launch-florida-space-coast/70328398
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