The International Space Station (ISS) regained full crew strength after SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission delivered four astronauts from the US, France, and Russia. The arrival replaces colleagues who returned early due to a medical emergency, ensuring continuity of research and operations aboard the orbiting laboratory for the months-long mission.
On February 14, 2026, SpaceX’s Crew-12 Dragon capsule successfully docked with the ISS, carrying four astronauts: Commander Jessica Meir (NASA, US), Pilot Jack Hathaway (NASA, US), Cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev (Russia), and ESA astronaut Sophia Adenot (France). The launch took place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
This mission was particularly significant as it followed NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight, which left the ISS short-staffed. The new arrivals restore the station’s operational capacity, allowing resumption of paused spacewalks and full-scale scientific research.
The astronauts will spend several months conducting experiments in microgravity, climate monitoring, and advanced materials research, while also supporting international collaborations.
Major Takeaways
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SpaceX Crew-12 delivered four astronauts to ISS on February 14, 2026
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Crew members: Jessica Meir (US), Jack Hathaway (US), Andrei Fedyaev (Russia), Sophia Adenot (France)
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Mission restores ISS to full strength after rare medical evacuation
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Launch from Cape Canaveral aboard Falcon 9 rocket
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Arrival enables resumption of spacewalks and scientific research
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Focus areas include microgravity experiments, climate monitoring, and materials science
Conclusion
The successful arrival of Crew-12 underscores SpaceX’s growing role in global space exploration and highlights the resilience of international cooperation aboard the ISS. With the station back to full strength, the mission promises to advance scientific discovery and global collaboration in space research.
Sources: The Hindu, India TV, PBS News, NASA