The Falcon 9 Crew-12 Launch Delay has emerged as a key update in spaceflight news, as NASA and SpaceX announced that the launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will not occur on its originally targeted date due to unfavorable weather conditions in the rocket’s ascent corridor. After reviewing updated meteorological data, mission teams opted to postpone liftoff to no earlier than 5:38 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Thursday, February 12, 2026. This decision comes after conditions were deemed potentially outside acceptable safety limits on the previously planned February 11 launch date.
The ISS relies on a steady rotation of crews to maintain operations, conduct scientific research, and support long-duration missions. In the absence of a full complement of astronauts on board, there can be increased strain on remaining personnel and mission planning. Consequently, the Falcon 9 Crew-12 Launch Delay has drawn attention not only from space enthusiasts but also from those watching how NASA and SpaceX manage complex crewed missions.
Background: What Crew-12 Is and Why It Matters
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission is part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, designed to provide reliable, routine human access to low Earth orbit aboard commercially developed spacecraft. The Crew-12 flight represents the twelfth operational NASA mission using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and the thirteenth crewed flight overall.
This mission will carry four astronauts:
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Jessica Meir, NASA astronaut and mission commander
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Jack Hathaway, NASA astronaut and pilot
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Sophie Adenot, European Space Agency (ESA) mission specialist
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Andrey Fedyaev, Roscosmos mission specialist
These crew members are scheduled to launch aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Upon a successful launch, the Dragon spacecraft will rendezvous with the ISS approximately six hours later, where the team will join ongoing Expedition operations.
Why Weather Delays Crewed Launches
Weather plays a pivotal role in crewed spaceflight, and launch windows are carefully evaluated against a set of environmental criteria that ensure the safety of human life and vehicle performance. On February 9, NASA and SpaceX mission managers conducted a weather review and observed conditions along the projected flight path that included winds and atmospheric pressure systems that might compromise launch safety.
Specifically, forecasts indicated high winds and low-pressure systems along the Atlantic ascent corridor, extending far beyond the Kennedy Space Center launch site itself. Even with the rocket poised for liftoff, unfavorable downrange conditions can affect abort scenarios and crew rescue plans, prompting mission teams to delay.
This approach — prioritizing safety over schedule — exemplifies best practices in human spaceflight, ensuring that every factor from ground support systems to orbital conditions meets stringent requirements before a crew leaves Earth.
New Target Date and Weather Monitoring
With the Falcon 9 Crew-12 Launch Delay now in effect, teams are preparing for the new February 12 launch target at 5:38 a.m. EST. Weather forecasts suggest potential improvement later in the week, and officials have indicated that Friday, February 13 could serve as an additional launch opportunity if weather conditions on February 12 remain marginal.
NASA mission managers are expected to provide updated weather briefings in the early hours of launch day, closely monitoring atmospheric conditions to determine whether a decision to proceed can be made. This iterative evaluation process reflects the flexible nature of crewed spaceflight operations, where launch opportunities adjust dynamically in response to real-time data.
What Happens After Launch
If liftoff on February 12 proceeds as planned, the Crew-12 astronauts will embark on a journey to the ISS, where they will supplement ongoing scientific research, conduct station maintenance, and support experimental operations designed to expand knowledge across multiple disciplines. Research conducted aboard the ISS has implications for long-duration space habitats, improved materials science, biotechnology advancements, and Earth observation applications.
The addition of the Crew-12 team also restores the ISS to its full standard staffing level, following the early return of the Crew-11 mission in January due to a medical evacuation — an unprecedented move in the station’s quarter-century history.
Where to Watch and Follow Updates
NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch activities, liftoff, and the subsequent docking at the International Space Station on NASA+, Amazon Prime Video, and the agency’s official social media channels, including YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). These streams offer real-time commentary and expert insights into mission progress on launch day.
For additional context on the mission and broader Commercial Crew developments, read our internal article on the history of SpaceX’s Commercial Crew Program at /blog/spacex-commercial-crew-program-history.
For authoritative updates from NASA on the adjusted launch date and live coverage, see the official mission announcement here: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/commercialcrew/2026/02/09/nasa-spacex-adjust-crew-12-launch-date-due-to-weather/
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