Crew-12 set to launch mission to International Space Station on February 11

A four-member crew is set to launch on a mission to the International Space Station, with the launch scheduled for no earlier than Wednesday, February 11, at 11:00 GMT (12:00 CET, 06:00 EST). The liftoff will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Should there be delays, the next possible launch windows are on Thursday, February 12, at 10:38 GMT (11:38 CET, 05:38 EST) and Friday, February 13, at 10:15 GMT (11:15 CET, 05:15 EST).

The Crew-12 team comprises Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, along with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot. They will travel to the orbiting research facility aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which will be launched using a Falcon 9 rocket. This mission marks a significant milestone as Crew-12 will join expeditions 74 and 75 during their nine-month stay at the station.

This mission represents a first for both Sophie Adenot and Jack Hathaway, who have backgrounds as test pilots. In contrast, Jessica Meir has previously flown in space but will experience her first mission using the Dragon spacecraft, while Andrei Fedyaev will become the first cosmonaut to partake in a second flight on the SpaceX vehicle.

The crew is currently in quarantine at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, a precautionary measure to ensure health and safety ahead of their journey. They are expected to move to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 6, where they will continue their quarantine until launch. As the team prepares for their upcoming mission, they remain focused on their objectives of scientific research, exploration, and fostering international cooperation in space. Further updates for the Crew-12 and the εpsilon mission will follow as the launch date approaches.