SpaceX Crew-12 Will Return to Earth in October 2026
The international crew prepares for their upcoming departure as mission operations on the space station conclude.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Space
The SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which launched on February 13, 2026, is scheduled to conclude its duration with a return to Earth in October 2026. Astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot, and Andrey Fedyaev are currently finalizing preparations for their departure.
Why it matters
The transition marks the end of a long-duration mission while setting the stage for the arrival of the Crew-13 mission in early October. The rotation ensures that research and maintenance operations on the International Space Station remain continuous.
The Progress 96 spacecraft delivered 3 tons of supplies on September 19 to sustain station operations. The mission team is currently conducting pressure suit fit and communication tests to ensure the Dragon spacecraft is ready for atmospheric reentry.
The players
SpaceX
An aerospace manufacturer and transport company that operates the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon spacecraft.
International Space Station
A modular space station in low Earth orbit that serves as a microgravity research laboratory for international astronauts.
Anil Menon
A NASA flight engineer who has been conducting biological research on the effects of long-duration spaceflight.
The details
The current crew is executing standard departure procedures, including the inspection and staging of emergency breathing gear. Flight engineer Anil Menon is utilizing an onboard centrifuge—a spinning device that uses centrifugal force to separate fluids of different densities—to process blood and saliva samples for the Immunity Assay investigation before they are cryogenically preserved for analysis on Earth. Meanwhile, Andrey Fedyaev has been processing automated Earth imagery data collected during the crew's designated sleep cycle.
Timeline
February 13, 2026: The SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched.
July 14, 2026: NASA flight engineer Anil Menon arrived at the station.
September 19, 2026: The Progress 96 spacecraft delivered three tons of supplies.
September 22, 2026: Crew-12 members performed return preparations.
Early October 2026: The Crew-13 mission is scheduled to arrive.
The Tech Race
This transition follows the established cadence of the International Space Station crew rotation cycle. The synchronization of incoming and outgoing missions is essential to maintaining continuous human presence and experimental throughput in microgravity.
The upcoming departure of Crew-12 signals a shift in the current research agenda as scientists prepare to retrieve biological samples from orbit for further study on Earth. Once the crew splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, the data from investigations like the Immunity Assay will begin the analysis phase.
The takeaway
The successful return of the Dragon spacecraft will provide researchers with critical longitudinal health data collected from the crew. Observers should track the scheduled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in October 2026 to confirm the conclusion of the mission's active flight phase.
What happens next
The Crew-13 mission is scheduled for arrival at the International Space Station in early October 2026, which will mark the formal handover of station responsibilities.
Further reading
For more updates on orbital missions and research, visit Space.
