NASA has pushed back the February launch of Artemis 2 to March after ending a critical fuel test early Tuesday morning, which was complicated by a liquid hydrogen leak and cold temperatures due to the rare Arctic outbreak that has gripped Florida. Artemis 2 would be the first crewed mission to return to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. The pre-launch test was designed to fuel the Space Launch System and identify technical issues before launch.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.– NASA announced Crew-12, the next mission to the International Space Station, is set to launch early Friday from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Originally scheduled to launch on Wednesday, the launch was delayed due to elevated winds.
NASA on Wednesday said weather at the launch site was 85% favorable, with cumulus clouds being the main concern.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company’s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at sunset at Space Launch Complex 40 as preparations continue for the Crew-12 mission, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
((NASA/Aubrey Gemignani) / NASA)
A four-person crew consisting of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, commander, and Jack Hathaway, pilot, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will fly aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.
The mission is set to launch at 5:15 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Crew-12 is set to dock at the International Space Station at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday.
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NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway, middle left, Jessica Meir, middle right, Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, left, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, right, wearing SpaceX spacesuits, are seen as they prepare to depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building for Space Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a dress rehearsal prior to the Crew-12 mission launch, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
(NASA/Aubrey Gemignani / NASA)
The Crew-12 mission will last eight months, NASA said.
All four astronauts remain in quarantine at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center until the launch takes place.
NASA’s coverage of the Crew-12 launch will begin at 3:15 a.m. ET on Friday.
