A SpaceX capsule launched four astronauts to the International Space Station early Friday, restoring staffing after the orbiting lab operated for weeks with a reduced crew. The Crew 12 mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral and is set to dock Saturday, according to NASA.
The launch was expedited after an earlier mission returned to Earth ahead of schedule due to a medical issue, leaving only three people aboard the station. NASA said weather delays briefly pushed back the Crew 12 launch but stressed the need to return the ISS to normal operations.
Following a successful launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12, a postlaunch news conference will be held at 6:45 a.m. EST Friday.
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) February 13, 2026
Watch here: https://t.co/dNqX2avgyX pic.twitter.com/r5aeqnjJPc
Crew 12 includes two NASA astronauts, a European Space Agency astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut. Without a traditional in orbit handover, the team relied on ground briefings to prepare.
NASA officials say full staffing is critical to maximize research aboard the $3 billion per year laboratory. The crew will conduct medical, pharmaceutical, and human performance experiments during their eight month stay.
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