Science & Tech · Space · 2 days ago
NASA’s Crew-12 Returns to Earth After 237 Days on the Space Station
Four astronauts from NASA’s Crew-12 mission returned to Earth on October 8, landing in the Pacific Ocean near California in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom.
Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway represent NASA, Sophie Adenot is from the European Space Agency, and Andrey Fedyaev is from Roscosmos.
They spent 237 days in space, most of them aboard the International Space Station, which orbits Earth.
The crew carried out research on topics including stem cells, circulation and ways to make IV fluids in space.
This work could help protect astronauts on longer missions and may also inform medical research on Earth.
Crew-12’s replacements, Crew-13, had arrived at the station a week earlier, so the station’s work continues.
Cargo missions are also scheduled to keep supplying the station, including a SpaceX Cargo Dragon launch the following week.
NASA’s Crew-12 astronauts returned safely to Earth on October 8 after a 237-day mission.
Their SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off California.
The crew comprised NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
During the mission, the crew conducted research including experiments on stem cells and technology for producing IV fluids in space.
The astronauts made more than 3,792 trips around Earth and traveled more than 100 million miles.
- Who
- NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
- What
- The Crew-12 astronauts returned safely to Earth after their space mission.
- When
- October 8, 2026.
- Where
- The Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, near Los Angeles.
- Why
- Their 237-day mission aboard the International Space Station ended.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jessica, Jack, Sophie, and Andrey spent 237 days living and working in orbit, traveled more than 100 million miles, advanced important science, and returned safely home because of the extraordinary expertise and competence of thousands across NASA, SpaceX, and our international partners
We’re grateful for the dedication across the human spaceflight team that makes this possible, and we’re thrilled to welcome Jessica, Jack, Sophie, and Andrey home.
Crew-12 launched at 5:15 a.m. EST.
The crew arrived at the International Space Station.
Crew Dragon Freedom splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, ending the 237-day mission.
SpaceX recovery teams brought the capsule and astronauts aboard a recovery vessel.
- Mission duration
- 237 days
- Splashdown
- Pacific Ocean off California
- Splashdown time
- 8:34 a.m. PDT
- Distance traveled
- More than 100 million miles
- Trips around Earth
- More than 3,792
- Crew spacecraft
- SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom
Sources
Related news
Margaret Hamilton, whose software helped Apollo astronauts reach the Moon, dies at 90
SpaceX plans to expand Starlink into a major US mobile carrier
NASA releases nearly 800 GB of Artemis II lunar data
Astronomers trace record-distant radio burst to a young galaxy
Victoria Jaggard Takes on Space Editor Role at The New York Times
Camera captures aurora over parts of the Netherlands
New Images Reveal Gas Knots and a Possible Survivor in Supernova Remnant
French astronaut Sophie Adenot says space brought a full range of emotions
China’s Guowang network connects Arctic and Antarctic in video call
Webb links the most distant known fast radio burst to a small galaxy
Four astronauts return to Earth after eight months on the space station
