SpaceX Crew-12 Returns to Earth After Seven-Month Orbital Mission

Washington D.C. – The NASA SpaceX Crew-12 mission successfully concluded its seven-month journey aboard the International Space Station with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Los Angeles on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The crew, comprising NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, is scheduled to brief the media on their scientific endeavors during a news conference. This conference will be held on Thursday, October 15, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The crew spent a total of 237 days in orbit, traversing over 100 million miles and completing more than 3,792 orbits around Earth. For Meir and Fedyaev, this mission marked their second time in space, while Hathaway and Adenot achieved this milestone for the first time. The Crew-12 mission began with its launch at 5:15 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 13, followed by a docking with the International Space Station a day later. The safe return of the spacecraft and its occupants was facilitated by recovery vessels from SpaceX shortly after their landing at 8:34 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Following initial medical evaluations, the crew is expected to travel to shore before returning to the Johnson Space Center for further debriefing and recovery.

During their extended stay in space, the Crew-12 astronauts dedicated significant time to conducting scientific research aimed at advancing human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit and delivering tangible benefits to life on Earth. Their investigations included experiments on stem cell production for potential cell-based therapies, the demonstration of on-demand intravenous fluid generation technology crucial for future deep-space missions, and a study into how pneumonia-causing bacteria can lead to chronic heart damage. The crew also participated in nutrition-focused research and examined the impact of individual physical characteristics on blood flow during spaceflight. This research is vital for ensuring the safety and health of astronauts on upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars.

The mission also saw significant achievements in spacewalking. Jessica Meir completed four spacewalks, bringing her career total to seven, placing her third among all NASA women in total spacewalks. Sophie Adenot conducted three spacewalks, becoming the first French woman to perform such an extravehicular activity. These operations, along with the extensive scientific research, contribute to NASA’s broader goals of maintaining a sustained presence in low Earth orbit and preparing for future interplanetary endeavors. The Low Earth Orbit Program at NASA collaborates with private companies like SpaceX to ensure reliable crew and cargo transport to the International Space Station, maximizing its potential for research and development.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from NASA

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