Lead: NASA announced that four crew members from three agencies will fly on SpaceX Crew-12 to the International Space Station no earlier than Feb. 15, 2026, for a long-duration science expedition. The crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir (commander) and Jack Hathaway (pilot), ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev as mission specialists, who will join Expedition 74 aboard the station. The flight is the 12th crew rotation using a SpaceX vehicle under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and will focus on experiments and technology demonstrations to aid lunar and Mars exploration while producing benefits for life on Earth. Officials described the assignment as part of continued international cooperation on low Earth orbit research and commercial activity.
Key Takeaways
- Crew-12 is scheduled to launch no earlier than Feb. 15, 2026, to the International Space Station and will integrate with Expedition 74.
- The four-person team comprises NASA commander Jessica Meir, NASA pilot Jack Hathaway, ESA mission specialist Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos mission specialist Andrey Fedyaev.
- This mission is the 12th operational crew rotation to the station using a SpaceX crew vehicle under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
- Meir will make her second long-duration flight after a 205-day stay on Expeditions 61/62 and participation in three all-woman spacewalks totaling 21 hours, 44 minutes.
- Hathaway will fly for the first time; he has logged more than 2,500 flight hours, including over 500 carrier arrested landings and 39 combat missions.
- Adenot is making her first spaceflight after a career as a helicopter test and operational pilot with more than 3,000 hours in 22 helicopter types.
- Fedyaev returns for a second long-duration mission after 186 days in orbit on Crew-6/Expedition 69 in 2023 and holds honors including Hero of the Russian Federation.
- The flight will perform science and tech demonstrations that support Artemis lunar objectives and future Mars mission planning while sustaining commercial LEO activity.
Background
The International Space Station has hosted continuous human presence for more than 25 years, providing a microgravity environment for experiments that cannot be replicated on Earth. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program partners with private companies to deliver crew transportation, freeing NASA to concentrate resources on deep-space efforts such as Artemis lunar exploration and preparatory activities for eventual human missions to Mars. SpaceX crewed flights have become routine components of ISS crew rotations; Crew-12 is the 12th such rotation using a SpaceX vehicle under the program.
International cooperation is central to ISS operations: NASA, ESA and Roscosmos routinely exchange crew, hardware and research priorities to maximize scientific return. Crew assignments balance flight experience, mission needs and training pipelines across agencies. Historically, crew lists can change until launch because of medical, technical or scheduling reasons, but the Feb. 15, 2026 target reflects current planning by NASA and its partners.
Main Event
NASA named the four-person Crew-12 complement and assigned roles: Jessica Meir as spacecraft commander, Jack Hathaway as pilot, and Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev as mission specialists. The team will travel aboard a SpaceX crew vehicle to rendezvous and dock with the station, joining Expedition 74 personnel already aboard. Training and mission preparations will include systems checks, science payload rehearsals and coordinated procedures across agencies.
Jessica Meir returns to space after her first long-duration mission on Expeditions 61/62, where she served 205 days and performed three historic all-woman spacewalks totaling 21 hours and 44 minutes in EVA time. Meir’s background in marine biology, space studies and prior commercial crew integration roles positions her as an experienced leader for ISS operations and science oversight.
Jack Hathaway, a U.S. Navy commander selected in the 2021 astronaut class, will make his first flight. His résumé includes physics and history degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy, advanced study in flight dynamics and national security, a 2011 test-pilot course completion and more than 2,500 flight hours across 30 aircraft types with significant carrier experience and combat sorties.
Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev bring complementary skill sets: Adenot joins from ESA as a former helicopter test and operational pilot with flight-dynamics engineering training from ISAE-SUPAERO and human-factors study at MIT, while Fedyaev returns for a second long stay after 186 days in orbit on Crew-6/Expedition 69 in 2023 and holds test-cosmonaut experience and military aviation qualifications.
Analysis & Implications
The Crew-12 assignment underlines the continuing maturation of public-private partnerships in low Earth orbit. By using commercial crew vehicles for routine station rotations, NASA can allocate more budget and engineering focus toward Artemis lunar missions and deep-space technologies. For partners such as ESA and Roscosmos, participation sustains scientific access to microgravity facilities and keeps a broad skill base engaged in human spaceflight operations.
Operationally, having a mix of veteran and first-time flyers balances institutional memory and fresh operational capacity. Meir’s prior long-duration experience helps mitigate mission risk in crew health management and EVA planning, while Hathaway’s test- and carrier-based background strengthens in-flight systems handling. Adenot’s helicopter testing expertise and Fedyaev’s prior station experience further diversify the team for a range of onboard tasks and contingencies.
Geopolitically, the flight reflects continuing cooperation despite broader diplomatic tensions; joint operations on the ISS remain one of the longest-standing arenas of practical international collaboration in space. However, sustained collaboration depends on stable agreements, predictable funding and compatible technical standards among partners. Any shift in those elements could alter mission planning or the balance of agency responsibilities.
Comparison & Data
| Crew Member | Flight Status | Prior In-Orbit Days | Relevant Flight Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Meir | Second flight | 205 | — |
| Jack Hathaway | First flight | 0 | More than 2,500 |
| Sophie Adenot | First flight | 0 | More than 3,000 (helicopters) |
| Andrey Fedyaev | Second long-duration | 186 | More than 600 (military) |
This table summarizes flight experience and prior time in orbit for the Crew-12 members. The mix of rookies and veterans is typical for ISS rotations: agencies pair experienced crewmembers with newcomers to accelerate operational proficiency while protecting mission continuity. Flight-hours metrics highlight differing operational backgrounds—fixed-wing naval aviation, rotorcraft testing and military aviation—each contributing to crew capabilities for piloting, systems troubleshooting and payload operations.
Reactions & Quotes
NASA and partner statements emphasized science, crew safety and international cooperation as priorities for Crew-12. Officials highlighted the role of commercial providers in enabling sustained station access while NASA focuses on Artemis.
We look forward to the Crew-12 team building on decades of station science and technology demonstrations that prepare us for future exploration.
NASA Headquarters — official statement
An ESA spokesperson noted Adenot’s selection showcases Europe’s continued contribution to human spaceflight training and operations.
Sophie Adenot’s mix of engineering and test-pilot experience will be an asset for station operations and experimentation.
European Space Agency — agency comment
Russian space officials highlighted Fedyaev’s return as evidence of experienced cosmonaut involvement in international missions.
Fedyaev’s prior long-duration flight and test-cosmonaut background strengthens mission readiness for Crew-12.
Roscosmos — official comment
Unconfirmed
- Exact launch time and docking schedule beyond the “no earlier than Feb. 15, 2026” target remain subject to change based on vehicle readiness and range availability.
- Final mission duration and return date for Crew-12 have not been released publicly and will depend on Expedition sequencing and operational considerations.
- Any last-minute personnel changes due to medical or technical issues are possible but have not been reported.
Bottom Line
Crew-12 continues a pattern of international, agency-led crew assignments flown on commercially provided vehicles to sustain the ISS science agenda while freeing NASA resources for lunar exploration. The makeup of the team blends seasoned long-duration experience with first-flight talent, supporting both operational resilience and research productivity in low Earth orbit.
As the Feb. 15, 2026 launch window approaches, attention will turn to final scheduling, payload manifests and coordination among NASA, ESA and Roscosmos. The mission will be an early test of ongoing plans to balance commercial LEO services with an intensified focus on Artemis and other deep-space priorities.
Sources
- NASA news release — Official U.S. government announcement providing crew assignments and mission details.