SpaceX launched Falcon 9 early this morning, sending four astronauts on NASA’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station occurred at 5:15 AM ET, with NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev aboard Crew Dragon capsule ‘Freedom.’

Crew-12 was originally targeted for February 11 but slipped twice due to unfavorable weather conditions along the spacecraft’s flight path before finding a clear window Friday morning.

“With Crew-12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation, and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman after the launch.

Isaacman added, “The research this crew will conduct aboard the space station advances critical technologies for deep space exploration while delivering real benefits here on Earth. I’m grateful to the NASA and SpaceX teams whose discipline, rigor, and resilience made today’s launch possible.”

Crew Dragon and the astronauts and cosmonaut are expected to dock with the station at approximately 3:15 PM ET tomorrow, Saturday, February 14. Their arrival will restore ISS to a full crew of seven astronauts and cosmonauts, who will work and live aboard the orbital outpost. They will join Expedition 74, and spend roughly eight months aboard the station conducting science experiments, including a study on blood clot risks in microgravity and simulated lunar landing exercises in preparation for future Artemis missions.

Happy Landings

At T+7m 42s into the flight, Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1101 returned to Landing Zone 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, touching down mere meters from the launch pad while a sonic boom echoed across the Space Coast. It was the first time SpaceX had performed a return-to-launch-site landing at the new landing zone following the expiration of its lease on Landing Zones 1 and 2 at the former SLC-13 site last July.

Launch Replay

Next Launch

Author: Charles Boyer

NASA kid from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo parents and family. I’m a writer and photographer sharing the story of spaceflight from the Eastern Range here in Florida.