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NASA, SpaceX Target Friday 5:15 a.m. ET for Crew-12 ISS Launch After Weather Delays

The four-person international crew steps in after last month’s medical return to start an approximately eight‑month research stay.

NASA’s Crew-12 members pose at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. From left to right: Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot. Credit: NASA/James Blair
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The payload fairing for the national security mission USSF-87 heads to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 for a launch on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket. (Courtesy/ULA)
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Overview

  • Mission teams pushed the launch to Friday, Feb. 13 at 5:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral after successive weather reviews flagged elevated winds along Dragon’s ascent and abort corridor.
  • The crew comprises NASA’s Jessica Meir (commander) and Jack Hathaway (pilot), ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
  • If liftoff occurs as planned, the Dragon Freedom spacecraft is expected to dock on Saturday, Feb. 14 at roughly 3:15 p.m. ET, restoring ISS staffing from the current three-person contingent.
  • During an about eight‑month increment, Crew‑12 will conduct biology and technology research, on‑demand IV fluid work, plant studies, and demonstrations including ESA’s Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device and manual‑piloting simulations.
  • SpaceX’s Crew Dragon continues to handle crew rotations as Boeing’s Starliner addresses helium leaks and thruster issues before a no‑earlier‑than April cargo flight, leaving NASA to decide later which vehicle follows Crew‑12.