Crew-12 Will Return From Space Station In October 2026
The Expedition 75 crew is finalizing return procedures before the Crew-13 mission arrives in early October.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Space
The SpaceX Crew-12 mission, which launched on February 13, 2026, is preparing for its return to Earth this October. As the crew nears the end of its mission duration, members are conducting final flight tests.
Why it matters
The transition between mission crews ensures continuous research operations on the International Space Station. The upcoming handover marks a major milestone as the current team wraps up months of scientific study.
Astronauts recently utilized a centrifuge to process blood and saliva samples for the Immunity Assay investigation. Additionally, crew members processed automated Earth imagery data captured during their sleep cycle.
The players
Anil Menon
Anil Menon is a NASA flight engineer currently conducting medical research and biological sampling on the space station.
Jessica Meir
Jessica Meir is a career astronaut and member of the Crew-12 mission currently overseeing emergency safety gear maintenance.
Andrey Fedyaev
Andrey Fedyaev is an active mission participant involved in automated Earth imagery processing and station operations.
The details
The Crew-12 members are performing pressure suit fit and communication tests to ensure safety for the upcoming Dragon return flight. Meanwhile, the space station recently received three tons of critical supplies delivered by the Progress 96 cargo spacecraft.
Timeline
February 13, 2026: The SpaceX Crew-12 mission launched into orbit.
July 14, 2026: NASA flight engineer Anil Menon arrived at the station.
September 19, 2026: Progress 96 delivered three tons of supplies.
September 22, 2026: Crew members began final return preparations.
Early October 2026: The Crew-13 mission is scheduled to arrive.
Deeper Dive
This crew transition follows the established International Space Station Expedition mission cycle. These rotations are critical for maintaining continuous scientific productivity and station maintenance.
The return of Crew-12 will provide scientists with essential blood and saliva samples for the Immunity Assay study. This research is vital for understanding long-term human health impacts during future deep-space exploration.
The takeaway
The successful rotation of crews is essential for sustaining long-term orbital research. Future mission success depends on these precise handovers and the constant flow of critical scientific cargo.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Space operations.
