NASA, SpaceX Delay Crew-12 ISS Launch Due to Unfavourable Weather

NASA and SpaceX have announced a delay to their upcoming International Space Station (ISS) mission after forecasts indicated poor weather conditions on the original launch date.

The mission, which was scheduled to lift off on February 11, has now been postponed to no sooner than February 12, pending improved weather conditions at the launch site.

Launch Delay Due to Weather Conditions

NASA and SpaceX confirmed on Monday that unfavourable weather expected on February 11 prompted the decision to delay the launch. The mission team is continuing to monitor conditions closely to determine the next viable launch window.

Meanwhile, the four-member crew remains in quarantine at Kennedy Space Center, following standard pre-launch health protocols while awaiting clearance to proceed.

Crew-12 Mission Overview

NASA’s 12th Rotational ISS Crew

Crew-12 is NASA’s 12th rotational crew mission to the International Space Station. The flight will transport four astronauts for a long-duration science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory.

The mission will support ongoing scientific research aboard the ISS, with experiments designed to contribute to future Moon and Mars exploration programmes.

Crew Members and Roles

Mission Command and Piloting

• Jessica Meir (NASA) will serve as mission commander

  • Total spaceflight experience: 205 days

• Jack Hathaway (NASA) will act as pilot

  • Profession: U.S. Navy pilot

Mission Specialists

• Sophie Adenot (ESA)

  • First spaceflight

  • Former French helicopter test pilot

• Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos)

  • Second space mission

  • Previously flew 186 days aboard Crew-6 in 2023

Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle Details

Falcon 9 Rocket Configuration

Crew-12 is set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9, a two-stage reusable rocket, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.

First Stage

• Equipped with nine Merlin 1D engines

• Each engine produces 845 kN of thrust

• Features grid fins and landing gear designed for recovery and reuse

Second Stage

• Powered by a Merlin Vacuum Engine

• Responsible for placing the spacecraft into orbit

Crew Dragon Spacecraft Capabilities

The mission will use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, the human-rated version of the Dragon 2 spacecraft.

Key Features

• Crew capacity: Up to seven astronauts

• Autonomous docking with the ISS

• Earth return via controlled ocean splashdown

Once the mission concludes, the spacecraft will safely return the crew to Earth after undocking from the space station.

What’s Next

With weather remaining the primary constraint, NASA and SpaceX will reassess launch conditions before confirming the final liftoff time. If conditions improve, the Crew-12 mission could proceed as early as February 12, keeping the ISS crew rotation on schedule.