Crew-12 launches to ISS, marking 12th long-duration mission

NASA and SpaceX are ramping up final preparations for the launch of the four-person Crew-12 mission, scheduled to take off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 5:15 a.m. EST this Friday.

As of now, the crew is already in orbit and experiencing microgravity, floating objects around them as they move further away from Earth. Despite being strapped into their seats, Commander Jessica Meir and ESA astronaut Jack Hathaway have raised their visors to take in the breathtaking view of space. Joining them will be Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, marking France’s second-ever female astronaut aboard a SpaceX rocket.

NASA announced that when the crew arrives at the International Space Station after opening their visors and exiting their suits during the journey, they will enter into an eight-month rotation there. The Falcon 9 will propel them to orbit, while the Dragon spacecraft will be detached and return to Earth, where it will be refurbished for future use.

Astronaut Sophie Adenot describes her mission as an exciting voyage of small moments, aimed at exploring our world and beyond. The Falcon 9’s launch will set the stage for a fascinating journey that viewers can watch beginning at 1:15 p.m., available on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel.

The Crew-12 mission represents not just another milestone in human spaceflight history but also serves as a testament to international cooperation in space exploration. As France continues its proud tradition of space travel, we will be following the crew’s journey with great anticipation and excitement.