NASA SpaceX Crew 12 launch reaches orbit and begins journey to the ISS

Morning light had only just settled over the Florida coast when the Falcon 9 rose from Space Launch Complex 40. At 5.15 a.m. EST, which is 3.45 p.m. IST, the rocket carrying NASA’s SpaceX Crew 12 mission cleared the pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The climb was steady, bright against a pale sky. Inside the Dragon spacecraft sat NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Within minutes, they were feeling forces of about 2 g as the vehicle accelerated through the lower atmosphere. The flight marks the twelfth crew rotation mission under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, continuing regular transport to the International Space Station.

NASA SpaceX Crew-12 launch sends four astronauts to International Space Station

A few minutes into flight, the rocket passed through max q, the point of highest mechanical stress. Shortly after, the nine Merlin engines on the first stage shut down, and stage separation followed. The booster began its descent back toward Cape Canaveral.

In a first for the site, the booster returned and landed within the Space Launch Complex 40 perimeter. SpaceX recently confirmed Landing Zone 40 will serve as the primary return location for such missions. The landing drew a brief cheer in mission control, then attention shifted back to orbit.

Dragon spacecraft separates and enters orbit

At 5.24 a.m. EST, or 3.54 p.m. IST, Dragon separated from the second stage and began flying independently at roughly 17,500 miles per hour. The nosecone opening sequence followed soon after. With that, the spacecraft settled into orbit.

The crew will now spend about 34 hours making gradual adjustments before docking with the station’s Harmony module at around 3.15 p.m. EST on Saturday, which is 1.45 a.m. IST on Sunday.

Crew 12 begins journey to the International Space Station

The astronauts will remove their helmets and move out of launch positions during the early orbital phase. Systems checks continue as Dragon makes its way around Earth at close to 17,000 miles per hour.

A post-launch news conference is scheduled for 6.45 a.m. EST, or 5.15 p.m. IST, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Officials from NASA, ESA and SpaceX are expected to speak.

Crew 12 will spend more than 6 months aboard the International Space Station. Their work includes medical research, plant growth studies and technology testing aimed at supporting future missions to the Moon and Mars. For now, the spacecraft circles quietly, closing the distance.