NASA and SpaceX Launch Replacement Crew to International Space Station Amid Medical Return
NASA, in collaboration with SpaceX, launched a new crew to the International Space Station (ISS) following the early return of the previous crew due to a medical issue. The Crew 12 mission, consisting of commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, took off aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule from Cape Canaveral. This mission was expedited to restore the ISS crew to its full capacity of seven members after the early departure of Crew 11. The launch was initially delayed due to high winds but proceeded successfully on February 13, 2026. The new crew will conduct various scientific experiments, including studies on microgravity's effects on human health and vision, and will test new exercise equipment designed for long-duration space missions.