The hatches of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft opened on Sunday, February 14, 2026, at 22:14 UTC, officially integrating NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 into Expedition 74 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This event marks the beginning of the Crew-12 mission, as four astronauts floated into the station to join their international colleagues for a series of scientific research projects.
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, along with European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, were greeted by the existing Expedition 74 crew members: NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. This collaboration underscores the ongoing partnership between NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos in advancing scientific discovery in microgravity.
The Crew-12 mission commenced with a launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on February 13, 2026, at 10:15 UTC. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS approximately 29 hours later, at 15:15 EST (20:15 UTC). Over the course of several months, the seven-member crew will engage in a variety of experiments and technology demonstrations designed to benefit life both on Earth and in space.
In particular, the Crew-12 astronauts will conduct research that focuses on the effects of microgravity on biological systems, material science, and technology development. These investigations will contribute to future missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually sending them to Mars.
The international collaboration represented by Crew-12 is essential for the continued success of operations aboard the ISS. By pooling resources, expertise, and technology, the partner agencies are able to maximize the scientific output of their missions.
As the Crew-12 mission progresses, updates will be provided regarding their scientific endeavors and the implications of their work for future space exploration. The integration of this diverse group of astronauts highlights the importance of global cooperation in tackling the challenges of space research.
For continuous updates on their progress and mission specifics, follow reliable sources such as NASA and ESA.
