NASA SpaceX Crew-12 Returns to Earth After 237 Days on the International Space Station

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Los Angeles on Thursday after more than seven months aboard the International Space Station. The crew will discuss its science mission during a press conference at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Thursday, October 15, at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Four astronauts return safely from orbit

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fezyaev returned to Earth at 8:34 a.m. PDT. A team aboard a SpaceX recovery vessel recovered the spacecraft and crew shortly afterward.

Following standard post-flight medical examinations, the crew will fly to shore before returning to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“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 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.”

Crew-12 mission milestones

During the 237-day mission, the four-person crew traveled more than 100 million miles and orbited Earth more than 3,792 times. The mission was the second spaceflight for Meir and Fezyaev and the first for Hathaway and Adenot.

Crew-12 launched at 5:15 a.m. ET on February 13 and docked with the International Space Station one day later.

Space station research supports future Moon and Mars missions

The Crew-12 astronauts logged hundreds of hours of scientific research supporting human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and advancing knowledge that benefits people on Earth.

Their research included testing stem cell generation for cell-based therapies, demonstrating on-demand intravenous fluid production for future missions, and studying how pneumonia-causing bacteria can cause long-term heart damage.

The crew also conducted research on nutrition and examined how physical characteristics affect blood flow during spaceflight. These studies could help keep astronauts safe and healthy during future missions.

Research conducted aboard the International Space Station advances scientific knowledge and demonstrates technologies that could support human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Spacewalk achievements for Meir and Adenot

Meir completed four spacewalks during the mission, bringing her career total to seven. She now has the third-highest number of spacewalks among women in NASA history, behind former NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Suni Williams.

Adenot completed three spacewalks, becoming the first French woman to venture outside an orbital outpost.

NASA welcomes the Crew-12 astronauts home

“NASA’s activities supporting the International Space Station, including transporting crew, conducting impactful research, and maintaining 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.”

NASA’s Low Earth Orbit program partners with private U.S. companies, including SpaceX, to transport astronauts to and from the space station. These partnerships provide reliable access to space while maximizing the use of the International Space Station for research and development.

Crew-12 press conference details

U.S.-based media interested in attending the crew press conference in person with Meir, Hathaway, and Fezyaev should contact the NASA Johnson Newsroom at [email protected] by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 13.

Media members wishing to participate by phone must request dial-in details by 9:30 a.m. on October 15. Media must arrive at least 15 minutes before the press conference begins to ask questions. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online.

Adenot will be unable to attend the press conference because she will return to Europe.

Learn more about NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission below.

NASA media contacts

Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
[email protected] / [email protected]

Sandra Jones / Joseph Zakruszewski
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
[email protected] / [email protected]

Stephen Cisselov
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-867-2468
[email protected]