Four people on NASA'S Crew-12 arrive at the International Space Station

Published: Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 9:10 pm

NASA's Crew-12 Arrives at International Space Station, Boosting Research Capacity

The International Space Station (ISS) welcomed four new crew members this weekend, marking the arrival of NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission. The crew, comprised of two NASA astronauts, a French astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut, docked at the ISS on Saturday afternoon after launching from Florida on Friday morning.

The Crew-12 mission is slated to last eight months and will focus on scientific research. The primary goals of the mission include preparing for future human exploration beyond Earth's orbit and improving food production techniques in the space environment. This research is crucial for the long-term viability of space travel and the potential for establishing permanent human settlements beyond our planet.

The arrival of Crew-12 is particularly significant as it restores the ISS to a more typical operational capacity. The space station has been operating with a reduced staff of three people since January, when the previous crew, Crew-11, departed ahead of schedule due to a medical emergency.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted the successful mission, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the international partners involved in human spaceflight. He also noted that NASA is simultaneously preparing for the Artemis II mission, a critical step in the agency's ambitious lunar exploration program. Artemis II, a 10-day mission, will send a crew of four astronauts around the moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch as soon as March.

BNN's Perspective: The successful docking of Crew-12 is a positive development for international collaboration in space exploration. While the challenges of space travel are undeniable, the ongoing research and the upcoming Artemis II mission demonstrate a continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of human exploration. The focus on scientific advancements and international partnerships is a promising sign for the future of space exploration.

Keywords: NASA, SpaceX, Crew-12, International Space Station, ISS, astronauts, space mission, scientific research, Artemis II, moon, space exploration, human spaceflight, Jared Isaacman, cosmonaut, French astronaut, medical evacuation

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