NASA is preparing a series of public briefings as the agency and its partners enter the final phase before the launch of SpaceX Crew-12, a mission that will rotate astronauts aboard the International Space Station and continue long-term scientific operations in low Earth orbit.
Final Briefings Set As Crew-12 Enters Pre-Launch Phase
NASA has confirmed that two media briefings will take place from the Johnson Space Center in Houston as preparations intensify for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission. These events are designed to provide clarity on mission readiness, launch timelines, and crew objectives shortly before the astronauts travel to Florida for liftoff. The briefings will be broadcast live on NASA’s YouTube channel, offering the public a final opportunity to hear directly from both mission leadership and the crew itself.
The first session will focus on overall mission status, addressing vehicle readiness, launch operations, and coordination between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners. A second briefing will place the astronauts front and center, allowing them to discuss training, expectations, and the scientific goals of their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. According to NASA, these briefings mark the last scheduled media engagements before the crew departs for Kennedy Space Center.
An International Crew Bound For Low Earth Orbit
Crew-12 reflects the continued international nature of space station operations. The mission will carry NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Together, they will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, lifted into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Each crew member brings a distinct background shaped by military aviation, scientific research, and previous spaceflight experience. Meir returns to orbit after a previous long-duration mission that included multiple historic spacewalks. Hathaway will make his first journey into space following an extensive career in naval aviation. Adenot begins her inaugural mission as part of ESA’s astronaut corps, while Fedyaev returns for a second stay aboard the station after serving during a prior expedition.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 crew, from left to right, is NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
Credit: SpaceX
Mission Objectives And Station Operations
Once aboard the International Space Station, Crew-12 will support ongoing scientific research, technology demonstrations, and routine maintenance activities. These efforts are part of NASA’s broader strategy to use the station as a testbed for human spaceflight, preparing for future missions beyond low Earth orbit. Experiments conducted during the mission will span biology, materials science, and human physiology, contributing data relevant to long-duration exploration.
The crew rotation also ensures continuity of operations as station expeditions transition. By maintaining a steady presence of trained astronauts and cosmonauts, NASA and its partners can preserve the station’s role as a permanently occupied laboratory. The Crew-12 mission fits within this long-established framework while continuing to rely on commercial launch systems developed through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Source And Official Mission Details
According to an official NASA news release, the agency is reviewing launch opportunities in coordination with SpaceX and international partners, including the possibility of advancing the original target date. The announcement outlines the structure of the briefings, identifies participating officials, and provides detailed background on each crew member.
This release underscores the level of coordination required ahead of every crewed launch and highlights the transparency NASA maintains through regular public updates. The briefings also serve as a checkpoint, confirming that hardware, personnel, and mission planning remain aligned as launch approaches.