Four astronauts touched down at the International Space Station on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, ending a brief period when the orbiting laboratory operated with a skeletal crew after a medical evacuation earlier in the week. The crew, launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on Feb. 13, docked autonomously to the Harmony module’s space‑facing port at 3:15 p.m. EST, restoring the station’s full complement of seven members.
The arriving team – NASA’s Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev – traveled on a Dragon capsule attached to a Falcon 9 booster that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral at 5:15 a.m. EST. NASA’s launch announcement highlighted the mission as the 12th crew rotation under the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
“With Crew‑12 safely on orbit, America and our international partners once again demonstrated the professionalism, preparation and teamwork required for human spaceflight,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in the launch briefing. The statement underscored the collaborative nature of the mission, which includes research that supports deep‑space exploration even as delivering tangible benefits on Earth.
Why the crew was needed
Earlier in the week, Expedition 74’s roster was reduced after a medical issue forced the early return of two astronauts, leaving the station with only three occupants. The Globe and Mail reported that a medical evacuation had temporarily left the station “bare‑bones.” The arrival of Crew‑12 therefore relieved the reduced crew and reinstated a full‑scale research environment.
Mission details and timeline
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first stage landed safely after liftoff, and the Dragon capsule entered orbit roughly nine minutes later. Over the next 24 hours, the spacecraft performed a series of mid‑course burns before aligning with the ISS for docking. The autonomous docking sequence proceeded without incident, and the station’s hatches were opened at 4:45 p.m. EST, allowing the newcomers to greet Expedition‑74 members Sergey Kud‑Sverchkov, Chris Williams and Sergey Mikaev.
According to Space.com’s live coverage, the crew’s arrival marked the first “Valentine’s Day docking” for a U.S. Crewed flight, underscoring the symbolic timing of the mission.
Who is on board
| Astronaut | Agency | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jessica Meir | NASA | Mission Specialist |
| Jack Hathaway | NASA | Pilot |
| Sophie Adenot | ESA | Flight Engineer |
| Andrey Fedyaev | Roscosmos | Flight Engineer |
Meir, a veteran of the 2020 SpaceX Crew‑2 mission, brings extensive experience in EVA and human physiology research. Hathaway, a former Navy test pilot, serves as the Dragon’s pilot for this flight. Adenot, ESA’s first female astronaut to launch on a U.S. Commercial vehicle, will focus on microgravity experiments in materials science. Fedyaev, a seasoned Russian cosmonaut, adds expertise in orbital operations and international cooperation.
Scientific agenda
During their six‑month stay, the crew will continue a slate of experiments ranging from protein crystal growth to Earth‑observation studies that support climate monitoring. The mission also includes technology demonstrations aimed at validating life‑support systems for future lunar Gateway habitats.
What’s next for the ISS
With the station now back to a seven‑person crew, Expedition 74 will resume its full research schedule. The next scheduled press briefing is expected on Feb. 20, when NASA will provide updates on the crew’s early activities and any forthcoming experiments. Additional information will be posted on NASA’s International Space Station website.
We welcome your thoughts on this milestone—share your comments below and spread the word.
Worth a look
