NASA SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Concludes with Pacific Splashdown

• The SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off Los Angeles on October 8, 2026, marking the end of a 237-day mission.
• Four crew members returned safely after spending seven months aboard the International Space Station.
• A post-mission news conference is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Mission Overview

• The Crew-12 team included NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
• The mission spanned 237 days in orbit, covering over 100 million miles and 3,792 Earth orbits.
• This was the second mission for Meir and Fedyaev, and the first for Hathaway and Adenot.

Research and Scientific Achievements

• Crew members conducted extensive research to support human exploration beyond low Earth orbit:
  • Tested stem cell production for cell-based medical therapies.
  • Demonstrated on-demand IV fluid generation technology.
  • Studied links between pneumonia-causing bacteria and long-term heart damage.
  • Analyzed blood flow characteristics and nutrition to improve astronaut safety.

Spacewalk Highlights

• Jessica Meir completed four spacewalks, bringing her career total to seven, the third-highest among women at NASA.
• Sophie Adenot performed three spacewalks, becoming the first French woman to conduct a spacewalk.

Next Steps

• The crew will undergo medical screenings and return to the Johnson Space Center.
• NASA will host a news conference on October 15 at 3:30 p.m. EDT with Meir, Hathaway, and Fedyaev; Sophie Adenot will not be in attendance as she is returning to Europe.