Astronauts of SpaceX Crew 12 Mission to the ISS

SpaceX Crew 12 will launch to the International Space Station on Feb. 13 at 5:15 a.m. EST, carrying four astronauts: NASA commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, ESA mission specialist Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The mission includes two veteran spacefarers and two rookies embarking on their first journey to space.

Crew 12 Mission Overview

The upcoming Crew 12 mission marks the next crewed flight to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft Freedom into orbit, carrying the four member international crew for an extended stay aboard the orbital laboratory.

Following liftoff, Falcon 9 will accelerate Dragon to approximately 17,500 miles per hour. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will execute a series of carefully monitored maneuvers in coordination with NASA and SpaceX mission control. Dragon is designed to dock autonomously to the space facing port of the station’s Harmony module, though the crew is fully trained to assume manual control if required.

Crew 12 will join Expedition 74, currently staffed by NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. The station crew was left reduced after the early departure of Crew 11 due to an undisclosed medical situation, making Crew 12’s arrival especially important for maintaining full operational capacity aboard the ISS.

Also see: The Crew-12 mission represents international collaboration at its finest

Jessica Meir, Crew 12 Commander

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir will command Crew 12, marking her second mission to space and second stay aboard the ISS. A native of Caribou, Maine, Meir was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013. She first launched in September 2019 aboard Soyuz MS 15 and spent 205 days in orbit.

During her previous mission, Meir completed the first three all woman spacewalks alongside NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a milestone achievement in space exploration history. Between missions, she served as NASA’s chief astronaut for the SpaceX commercial crew program and assistant to the chief astronaut for the human landing system. She also worked in the Flight Integration division, strengthening her operational and leadership experience.

Her extensive background and prior long duration spaceflight experience position her as a seasoned leader for this multinational mission.

Jack Hathaway, Crew 12 Pilot

Crew 12 pilot Jack Hathaway will make his first trip to space on this mission. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021, Hathaway previously served as a commander in the United States Navy.

He earned degrees from the United States Naval Academy, Cranfield University in England, and the United States Naval War College. As a naval aviator, Hathaway logged more than 2,500 flight hours across 30 types of aircraft. Although this will be his first spaceflight, Crew Dragon Freedom will become one of many advanced vehicles he has piloted during his career.

His extensive aviation background and leadership experience bring valuable operational expertise to the mission.

Sophie Adenot, ESA Mission Specialist

Sophie Adenot, representing the European Space Agency, will also embark on her first mission to space. Adenot studied spacecraft flight dynamics before earning a Master of Science in human factors engineering from MIT in 2004.

She joined the French Air Force in 2005, where she participated in search and rescue missions and gained experience flying in challenging and hostile environments. Between 2019 and 2022, she served as a test pilot before being selected as an ESA astronaut candidate in 2022.

Her technical knowledge, combined with hands on operational experience, reflects the growing international collaboration aboard the ISS.

Andrey Fedyaev, Roscosmos Mission Specialist

Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev returns to the ISS as part of Crew 12. He studied air traffic control before joining the Russian Air Force in 2004, serving until 2013 and logging more than 500 flight hours in various aircraft.

Selected as a cosmonaut in 2012, Fedyaev previously flew to the ISS aboard SpaceX Crew 6 in 2023. His prior experience aboard the station adds continuity and operational familiarity to the mission.

Life and Operations Aboard the ISS

During their stay, Crew 12 will support ongoing scientific research and station operations. In July, they will welcome a Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. They will also bid farewell to the Soyuz returning Williams, Kud Sverchkov, and Mikaev to Earth.

Additional arrivals are expected, including Dragon, Roscosmos Progress, and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft for resupply missions.

For more than 25 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the International Space Station. The orbiting laboratory enables research breakthroughs not possible on Earth and serves as a vital testbed for long duration spaceflight. As commercial providers expand human transportation services in low Earth orbit, NASA is focusing on deep space missions to the Moon under the Artemis campaign, preparing for future human missions to Mars.

SpaceX Crew 12 Mission Crew Profile Infographic

Final Thoughts

SpaceX Crew 12 represents a balanced blend of experience and fresh perspective, uniting astronauts from NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos. With two veterans and two first time space travelers, the mission reinforces international cooperation and ensures the continued scientific productivity of the International Space Station. As NASA advances toward Artemis and deep space exploration, missions like Crew 12 remain critical to building the expertise required for humanity’s next giant leap.

FAQ

When is the SpaceX Crew 12 launch scheduled?

The earliest launch opportunity is Feb. 13 at 5:15 a.m. EST, or 1015 GMT.

Who is commanding Crew 12?

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir serves as the mission commander.

Which astronauts are flying to space for the first time?

Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot will make their first spaceflight on Crew 12.

Which spacecraft will carry Crew 12 to the ISS?

The crew will travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, launched on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Why is Crew 12 important?

Crew 12 helps restore full staffing aboard the ISS and continues vital scientific research and international collaboration in low Earth orbit.

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