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