NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission successfully lifted off early Friday morning, marking the beginning of an eight-month scientific expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). According to official reports from the space agency, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:15 a.m. EST on February 13, 2026, from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The mission carries a diverse international crew of four, including two NASA astronauts, one European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, and one Roscosmos cosmonaut. The crew is traveling aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which successfully separated from the rocket’s second stage and achieved orbit shortly after launch. NASA confirms the spacecraft is currently executing a series of engine burns to rendezvous with the orbiting laboratory, with docking scheduled for approximately 3:15 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 14.

Crew Profile and Mission Roles

The Crew-12 team comprises a mix of veteran spacefarers and first-time flyers who will join Expedition 74 aboard the ISS. NASA officials highlighted the specific roles and backgrounds of the four crew members:

• Jessica Meir (Commander, NASA): A veteran of Expedition 61/62 and a marine biologist, Meir is making her second trip to space. She is historically noted for participating in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. As Commander, she is responsible for all phases of the flight from launch to re-entry.
• Jack Hathaway (Pilot, NASA): Making his first spaceflight, Hathaway is a U.S. Navy Commander and test pilot with over 2,500 flight hours. He joined the NASA astronaut corps in 2021 and is responsible for monitoring spacecraft systems and performance.
• Sophie Adenot (Mission Specialist, ESA): An engineer and helicopter test pilot from France, Adenot is the first astronaut from the ESA’s 2022 class to reach orbit. Her mission segment is officially designated “Epsilon” by the ESA.
• Andrey Fedyaev (Mission Specialist, Roscosmos): A Russian cosmonaut and military pilot, Fedyaev previously flew on the Crew-6 mission in 2023. He is tasked with monitoring flight phases and managing the Russian segment’s schedule.

Scientific Objectives for Expedition 74

During their eight-month stay, the crew will conduct hundreds of experiments designed to prepare humanity for future deep-space exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars. NASA has outlined several critical research areas for this mission.

Medical and Biological Research

A primary focus of the mission involves understanding how the space environment affects human health. One key study will investigate how Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria interact with heart tissue in microgravity. According to mission documentation, bacteria can become more virulent in space, and researchers aim to identify the mechanisms behind potential long-term heart damage caused by respiratory infections.

Additionally, the crew will study fluid shifts and blood flow. This research examines how physical characteristics influence clotting risks during spaceflight, a vital dataset for mitigating health risks on long-duration missions.

Technology Demonstrations

The crew is also tasked with testing new life-support technologies. NASA highlights a system designed to generate intravenous (IV) fluids directly from the station’s water supply. This capability is considered critical for future Mars missions, where the logistical burden of carrying large supplies of pre-packaged medical fluids would be impractical.

Launch Infrastructure and Hardware

The launch of Crew-12 represents a continued effort to expand the operational redundancy of commercial spaceflight infrastructure. This mission is only the second human spaceflight to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40). Historically used for cargo and satellite missions, SpaceX upgraded the pad to support crewed launches, providing a backup to the primary pad at Launch Complex 39A.

The hardware for this mission also highlights the reusability central to the Commercial Crew Program. The Dragon capsule Freedom is making its return to space, having previously supported the Crew-4, Ax-2, Ax-3, and Crew-9 missions.

AirPro News Analysis

The successful utilization of SLC-40 for Crew-12 underscores a maturing commercial space ecosystem. By validating a second launch pad for human missions, NASA and SpaceX have effectively mitigated the risk of single-point ground infrastructure failure. This redundancy is essential for maintaining a continuous human presence on the ISS, especially as the station approaches its final years of operation and traffic to low-Earth orbit increases.

Furthermore, the inclusion of an ESA rookie alongside seasoned NASA and Roscosmos veterans illustrates the continued reliance on the ISS as a diplomatic and cooperative platform. Despite geopolitical tensions on Earth, the integrated crew operations required for Expedition 74 demonstrate that space remains a unique venue for international collaboration.

Sources

• NASA Commercial Crew Blog
• European Space Agency (ESA)
• Space.com

This article is based on an official press release and mission data from NASA.

NASA and SpaceX Target Friday Morning for Crew-12 Launch to ISS

NASA and SpaceX teams are finalizing preparations for the launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). According to an official update from NASA, the four-person crew is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 5:15 a.m. EST on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The mission will utilize a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon spacecraft named “Freedom.” As ground teams monitor weather conditions and technical systems, the astronauts are adhering to a strict pre-launch timeline to ensure readiness for their eight-month expedition.

Final Preparations and Launch Timeline

According to NASA, teams are conducting “final preparations” throughout Thursday, culminating in a critical weather briefing late in the evening. The agency reports that the crew is following a “precise checklist” of activities leading up to liftoff.

Mission data indicates that the Launch timeline follows a strict “L-Minus” schedule. Key milestones for the Friday morning launch include:

• L-4h 15m (01:00 AM EST): A final crew weather briefing to confirm conditions are safe for ascent.
• L-4h 00m: Astronauts will suit up in their custom SpaceX pressure suits and perform leak checks.
• L-3h 10m: The crew will exit the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for the traditional “walkout” to the transport vehicles.
• L-35m: Fueling of the Falcon 9 rocket with RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen begins following a “Go/No-Go” poll.

Weather forecasts for the Friday morning window appear promising. Data indicates a 90% chance of favorable conditions at the launch site, with the primary watch item being cumulus clouds. This follows a previous delay caused by high winds along the ascent corridor.

The Crew-12 Team

The Crew-12 mission features a diverse international roster comprising two NASA astronauts, one European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, and one Roscosmos cosmonaut. They will join Expedition 74 aboard the ISS, restoring the station to a full seven-person crew.

Commander Jessica Meir (NASA)

A veteran of Expedition 61/62, Meir is famous for participating in the first all-female spacewalk. This marks her second spaceflight. Regarding the upcoming launch, Meir noted the atmosphere is becoming “very, very real” and expressed readiness to “pass the relay” to the next generation of explorers.

Pilot Jack Hathaway (NASA)

Making his first spaceflight, Hathaway is a former U.S. Navy Commander with more than 2,500 flight hours across 30 aircraft types. He emphasized the importance of his background, stating:

“We’re all a product of where we come from.”

, Jack Hathaway, NASA Pilot

Mission Specialist Sophie Adenot (ESA)

Adenot, a Helicopters test pilot from France, is the first from her 2022 ESA astronaut class to fly. Her mission, dubbed “Epsilon,” represents a significant milestone for European spaceflight. She described the ISS as “a very good symbol of what humanity can achieve when nations work together.”

Mission Specialist Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos)

Fedyaev is embarking on his second spaceflight, having previously flown on the Crew-6 mission.

Mission Objectives and Science

During their extended eight-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, the crew is slated to conduct over 200 science experiments. According to mission overviews, key research areas include:

• Venous Flow: Studying blood flow from the brain to the heart in microgravity to better understand clot risks.
• Manual Piloting: Testing pilot performance after long-duration spaceflight to aid planning for future Mars missions.
• Plant Health: Investigating how plants defend themselves against bacteria in the space environment.

AirPro News Analysis

The arrival of Crew-12 is operationally critical for the International Space Station. Following the early return of Crew-11, the station has been operating with a reduced staff. The restoration of a full seven-person crew will allow the station to return to maximum capacity for both maintenance and scientific output.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Sophie Adenot highlights the deepening integration of international partners in the Commercial Crew Program. As the “Epsilon” mission begins, it underscores the routine nature of these flights while reminding observers that the complexity of spaceflight requires, as NASA notes, a “precise checklist” and constant vigilance regarding weather and technical margins.

Sources:

• NASA Commercial Crew Blog

This article is based on an official press release from Sodern.

Sodern, a prominent French manufacturer of space equipment and a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, has officially inaugurated its first United States industrial subsidiary, Sodern America. Located in Englewood, Colorado, the new facility marks a significant strategic expansion for the European aerospace giant, representing ArianeGroup’s first industrial installation on American soil.

According to the company’s announcement, the opening of Sodern America is designed to bring the manufacturer closer to its U.S. client base and navigate domestic regulatory requirements. The move positions Sodern to compete directly with established American firms in the defense and commercial space sectors by establishing a local supply chain and production capability.

Facility Capabilities and Strategic Location

The new subsidiary is situated in the Denver metropolitan area, a region widely recognized as a major hub for the U.S. aerospace industry. The facility spans approximately 14,000 square feet (1,300 square meters) and is equipped to handle manufacturing, testing, and commercial support.

In its official statement, Sodern outlined the specific operational capabilities of the Englewood site:

• Manufacturing: The facility includes a dedicated production line for the Auriga™ star tracker, a key component used for satellite orientation.
• Testing: The site features advanced clean rooms and testing infrastructure designed for high-performance trackers, including the Hydra™ model.
• Support: A local team and showroom will provide technical support and sales services to U.S. customers, aiming to reduce lead times and logistics costs.

By establishing this physical presence, Sodern aims to address the “dynamic and demanding” nature of the U.S. market, ensuring that critical components are available with shorter supply-chains than those requiring import from Europe.

Leadership and Market Objectives

To lead the new subsidiary, Sodern has appointed Tiphaine Louradour as the CEO of Sodern America. Louradour brings over 25 years of experience in the space industry, having held significant leadership roles at major U.S. aerospace organizations.

According to biographical details released in conjunction with the announcement, Louradour’s background includes serving as CEO of Spaceflight Inc., President of International Launch Services (ILS), and President of Global Commercial Sales at United Launch Alliance (ULA). Her appointment signals Sodern’s intent to leverage deep ties within the U.S. space industrial base to secure new contracts.

Navigating “Buy American” Regulations

A primary driver for this expansion, as noted in the company’s strategic rationale, is compliance with U.S. regulatory frameworks. Foreign entities often face barriers when bidding for U.S. government defense and civil space contracts due to strict domestic content requirements, often referred to as “Buy American” mandates.

By manufacturing the Auriga™ star tracker and conducting testing in Colorado, Sodern America intends to qualify for sensitive programs that are typically restricted to U.S. entities. This local status allows the company to bypass previous regulatory hurdles and compete on equal footing with domestic manufacturers.

AirPro News Analysis: The Competitive Landscape

The entry of Sodern America into the Colorado aerospace cluster places it in direct proximity to some of its fiercest competitors. The Denver area is home to Blue Canyon Technologies (a subsidiary of RTX), which is a market leader in small satellite components and star trackers. Additionally, Ball Aerospace (now part of BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems) and Honeywell Aerospace maintain significant operations in the region.

Sodern is already a supplier for major U.S. stakeholders, including NASA, providing instruments for the InSight Mars mission and the Europa Clipper, and the OneWeb constellation. However, establishing a manufacturing foothold suggests a shift from being an exporter to becoming an embedded part of the U.S. supply chain. This move is likely to intensify competition in the optical sensors market, particularly as satellite constellations continue to scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sodern America?
Sodern America is the new U.S. subsidiary of the French space equipment manufacturer Sodern. It is the company’s first industrial facility in the United States.

Where is the new facility located?
The facility is located in Englewood, Colorado, within the Denver metropolitan area.

What will be manufactured at the new site?
The site will feature a production line for Auriga™ star trackers and testing facilities for Hydra™ star trackers.

Who is the CEO of Sodern America?
Tiphaine Louradour, a veteran aerospace executive with previous leadership roles at Spaceflight Inc. and ULA, has been appointed as CEO.

Why did Sodern open a U.S. factory?
The expansion aims to bypass “Buy American” regulatory hurdles, shorten supply chains for U.S. clients, and allow the company to bid on U.S. government defense contracts.

Sources

• Sodern Official Press Release
• ArianeGroup
• Denver Gazette