On February 14, 2026, at 17:14 EST, the hatches between the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) were opened, marking the official arrival of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12. This mission brings together a diverse seven-member international crew, ready to contribute to ongoing scientific research aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Meet the Crew of Expedition 74
The Crew-12 team includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency (ESA), and Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos. They were welcomed aboard by the existing Expedition 74 crew, which consists of NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.
Upon their arrival, the new crew members greeted their peers and officially joined the mission. Together, this international team is poised to advance various scientific experiments, conduct technology demonstrations, and perform maintenance operations on the ISS.
Continuing International Collaboration
The Crew-12 mission exemplifies the ongoing collaboration between NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos, showcasing how these agencies work together to enhance scientific discovery in microgravity. Over the coming months, the team will engage in a multitude of research projects designed to benefit both life on Earth and in space. These initiatives are crucial as humanity looks to return to the Moon, explore Mars, and venture beyond.
Prior to docking, the Dragon spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on February 13, 2026, at 05:15 EST (10:15 UTC). After a successful journey, it docked with the ISS at 15:15 EST (20:15 UTC) the following day. The mission underscores the significance of international partnerships in expanding our understanding of space.
For further updates on their progress and findings during the mission, stay tuned to reliable sources covering space exploration.
