SpaceX and NASA Launch Crew-12 Mission to International Space Station

• February 13, 2026

On February 13, 2026, SpaceX and NASA conducted the launch of the Crew-12 mission, marking another milestone in piloted spaceflights to the International Space Station (ISS). The capsule, named Freedom, successfully reached orbit, continuing the collaboration between the private aerospace company and the US space agency.

Launch Details and Mission Overview

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off precisely at 5:15 a.m. Eastern Time from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. The launch adhered strictly to its scheduled timeline, demonstrating the reliability of SpaceX’s launch operations.

This mission includes an international crew aboard the Freedom capsule. Among the astronauts is a Russian cosmonaut, representing the continued multilateral partnership in space exploration despite geopolitical tensions on Earth. The Crew-12 trip continues to contribute to ongoing research and activities onboard the ISS.

The Crew Dragon capsule, developed by SpaceX as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, is designed to transport astronauts safely to and from low Earth orbit. Freedom is the latest iteration, following previous Dragon missions that have expanded capabilities and mission duration.

The successful achievement of orbit marks the first major step in the mission, with docking procedures to the ISS planned following orbital insertion. The Crew-12 crew will support station operations, scientific experiments, and maintenance over their stay, furthering advances in science and technology in microgravity environments.

The launch underscores the ongoing role of commercial providers in NASA’s approach to human spaceflight. SpaceX continues to provide critical services that enable regular crew rotations to the ISS, supporting continuous human presence in orbit.

Details concerning the mission duration, specific scientific objectives, and crew composition beyond the inclusion of an international astronaut were not disclosed at the time of launch. However, the mission maintains the momentum of increased activity in Earth orbit and exemplifies international cooperation in space endeavors.

As the Crew Dragon capsule makes its journey to the ISS, attention turns to the docking sequence and the commencement of planned operations aboard the station, contributing to a broad range of experiments and station maintenance tasks crucial for sustaining long-term human space exploration.

With the ongoing success of missions like Crew-12, the partnership between NASA and SpaceX continues to pave the way for future exploration goals, including deeper space missions and enhanced commercial spaceflight capabilities.

SpaceX and NASA’s Crew-12 mission successfully launched to the International Space Station on February 13, 2026.