Crew-12 astronauts complete 237-day space mission

The four astronauts spent 237 days in orbit, traveling more than 100 million miles and orbiting Earth thousands of times. During their mission, they conducted scientific experiments that could help shape future journeys to the Moon and Mars.

NASA will hold a press conference at Johnson Space Center in Houston on Thursday, October 15, at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The returned crew members will discuss their experiences and research findings.

“Jessica, Jack, Sophie and Andrei lived and worked 237 days in orbit, traveled more than 100 million miles, advanced important science, and returned home safely thanks to the extraordinary expertise and capabilities of thousands of people at NASA, SpaceX, and our international partners,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Building the ability, experience and confidence to do this repeatedly is exactly what will allow us to go even further, and we are grateful to Crew-12 and their families for their contribution to humanity’s greatest adventure.”

The returning crew included NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fezyaev.

The spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 8:34 a.m. PDT. A SpaceX recovery team aboard a specialized vessel arrived at the capsule shortly afterward and recovered the astronauts and spacecraft.

After routine medical evaluations, the crew will be transported to shore before heading to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“NASA’s activities supporting the International Space Station, including transporting crew, conducting impactful research, and sustaining critical national assets, enable the science, engineering, and risk mitigation needed for future missions throughout the solar system,” said Dana Weigel, manager of the Low Earth Orbit Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “We are grateful for the dedication of the entire human spaceflight team that made this possible, and we are excited to welcome Jessica, Jack, Sophie and Andrei home.”

During their 237-day stay, the astronauts circled Earth more than 3,792 times and traveled more than 100 million miles.

Crew-12 marked Meir and Fezyaev’s second spaceflight. Hathaway and Adenot completed their first space mission.

The crew launched at 5:15 a.m. ET on February 13 and arrived at the International Space Station the following day.

Space station experiments could support Moon and Mars missions

Beyond the extraordinary distances traveled, Crew-12 spent hundreds of hours conducting scientific research aimed at supporting future human exploration and improving life on Earth.

One research project investigated how to generate stem cells in space for potential use in cell-based medicine. Another technology demonstrated the ability to produce intravenous fluids on demand, a capability that could be particularly valuable during long-term missions far from Earth.

The astronauts also investigated how bacteria that cause pneumonia contribute to lasting heart damage. Understanding this relationship may provide new insights into cardiovascular health.

Other experiments focused on nutrition in space and how an individual’s physical characteristics affect blood flow during spaceflight. These studies could help researchers better understand the health risks astronauts face during extended stays in microgravity.

Together, the investigations provide valuable information about maintaining human health off Earth while testing technologies that may eventually support human expeditions to the Moon and Mars.

Historic spacewalks mark Crew-12 mission

The mission also included important milestones outside the space station.

Meir conducted four spacewalks during Crew-12, bringing her career total to seven. This achievement places her third among NASA’s all-time female spacewalkers, behind former astronauts Peggy Whitson and Suni Williams.

Adenot also reached a historic milestone by completing three spacewalks. She became the first French woman to step outside the International Space Station.

With Crew-12’s safe return to Earth, NASA has completed a mission that combined scientific research, international cooperation, and human spaceflight experience. The knowledge gained will contribute to preparations for even more ambitious journeys beyond Earth’s orbit.