On January 28, the astronauts of Crew-12 began their quarantine at the Johnson Space Center located in Houston, Texas, where they will remain until the launch.
Launch Schedule and Mission Overview
The Crew-12 mission is slated for launch at the earliest on February 11 at 6 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Additional launch windows are available on February 12 at 5:38 a.m. EST and February 13 at 5:15 a.m. EST.
This February, NASA is managing the launch preparations for two significant crewed missions: Artemis II and Crew-12. The final decision regarding the optimal launch window for each mission will be determined closer to the launch date, considering readiness and environmental conditions.
International Crew Heads to Florida
The Crew-12 team consists of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. They are scheduled to travel from Houston to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 6. Upon arrival, they will continue their quarantine while finalizing prelaunch tasks.
The crew will be launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, propelled into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket. After reaching the International Space Station, Crew-12 will participate in Expeditions 74 and 75 for a mission anticipated to last approximately nine months.
Experience Levels and Historic Achievements
This mission marks the first spaceflight for both mission specialist Sophie Adenot and pilot Jack Hathaway, who come from test pilot backgrounds. Commander Jessica Meir and mission specialist Andrey Fedyaev are each embarking on their second spaceflight.
For Meir, this will be her inaugural mission aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, while Fedyaev will make history as the first cosmonaut to fly on the Dragon for a second time.
The Importance of Quarantine for Astronauts
NASA implemented crew quarantine practices during the Apollo era to mitigate the risk of illness prior to launch and to safeguard health during the mission. During the Crew-12 quarantine, interactions with others are minimized, and most communication occurs remotely. Family members and essential mission personnel must undergo medical screening and receive clearance before any face-to-face contact is permitted.
Final Tests of the Spacecraft Completed
Prior to their quarantine, the crew conducted a comprehensive crew equipment interface test on January 12. During this day-long evaluation, the astronauts donned their suits, boarded the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, performed suit leak checks, and ensured proper seat fit.
They also familiarized themselves with the spacecraft's interior, tested communication systems, and acclimated to the sounds generated by Dragon's fans and pumps. These preparations are crucial for ensuring the crew's comfort during their upcoming journey to the orbiting laboratory.
As the launch date approaches, the Crew-12 team remains committed and adaptable, refining their preparations to support scientific research, exploration, and international collaboration aboard the space station.