NASA Sets SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Launch for February 11: From Crew to Mission Objectives and Live Coverage, All You Need To Know
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission is set to launch on February 11, 2026, at 6:01 AM EST. Commander Jessica Meir leads an international crew of four to the ISS for a six-month science stay. Coverage begins at 4 AM on NASA+, YouTube, and - for the first time - Amazon Prime. The mission will focus on critical studies like venous blood flow.
Mumbai, February 7: NASA has released the official broadcast and coverage schedule for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which is targeted for liftoff at 6:01 AM EST on Wednesday, February 11. The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying an international quartet of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This flight marks the 12th operational crew rotation under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and follows the crew's arrival at the Florida launch site this past Friday for final preparations.
Launch Schedule and Viewing Details of SpaceX Crew-12 Mission
NASA’s comprehensive live coverage is set to begin at 4 AM EST on launch day, two hours before the scheduled ignition of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Sun Solar Flare: NASA Monitors Most Intense ‘X4.2’ Class Eruption on February 4; Radio Communications, Electric Power Grids, Spacecraft and Astronauts at Risk.
Viewers can follow the mission across several platforms:
Digital Streaming: NASA+, the agency’s official website, and the NASA YouTube channel.
Third-Party Platforms: For the first time for a crewed mission, live coverage will also be available on Amazon Prime.
Radio: Audio-only commentary will be provided via the Launch Information Service on various VHF and UHF frequencies for those on Florida’s Space Coast.
Following a successful liftoff, the Dragon spacecraft - named Freedom - is expected to dock with the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module at approximately 10:30 AM EST on Thursday, Feb. 12.
NASA and SpaceX Target February 11 for Historic Crew-12 Mission Launch to ISS
The International Crew of SpaceX Crew-12 Mission
The Crew-12 mission is commanded by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, a veteran of the historic first all-female spacewalk. She is joined by:
Jack Hathaway (NASA): Serving as the mission's pilot.
Sophie Adenot (ESA): A mission specialist from France, making her first trip to space.
Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos): An experienced cosmonaut serving as a mission specialist.
The crew is currently in a strict pre-launch quarantine to ensure they do not carry any illnesses to the orbital laboratory. They will join the Expedition 74 crew currently aboard the station for a six-month stay focused on scientific research.
Science and Mission Objectives
During their tenure on the ISS, the Crew-12 members will conduct over 200 scientific experiments. A primary focus of this mission is the Venous Flow study, which examines how fluid shifts in microgravity affect blood clot risks in the jugular vein. NASA Internship Programs for Summer 2026: Know How To Apply, Application Deadline and Eligibility Criteria.
Additionally, the crew will participate in the Manual Piloting study, which uses virtual reality to assess how well astronauts can land a spacecraft on the Moon after months of living in weightlessness. These findings are considered critical for NASA’s future Artemis missions, which aim to return humans to the lunar surface.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 07, 2026 08:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).