NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission is drawing to a close, with the four crew members scheduled to return to Earth in early October 2026 following their stay aboard the International Space Station, according to NASA.
The multinational team consists of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. During their time in orbit, the astronauts conducted scientific operations across biology, physics, and advanced technology demonstration.
Scientific Research in Microgravity
Among the primary medical investigations, the crew supported experiments examining cancer-targeting treatments that were crystallized in microgravity. These trials aim to assist the development of more effective cancer therapies on Earth by evaluating how molecular structures form in the absence of gravity.
The astronauts also worked on health and biology projects focused on diseases and biological monitoring. While in orbit, crew members tested hardware designed to sequence DNA in microgravity and studied antibiotic-resistant bacteria aboard the orbiting laboratory. Research on station also relates to conditions such as osteoporosis, a bone disease that affects more than 200 million people globally, as well as space medicine logistics, where commercial intravenous fluids face constraints due to an expiration shelf life of approximately 16 months.
Station Upgrades and Manufacturing
In addition to biological studies, physical science facilities aboard the station saw operational enhancements. A recent upgrade to the Cold Atom Lab facility increased the total number of ultracold atoms the instrument can produce, aiding fundamental physics research.
The crew also engaged in manufacturing experiments to test how tools and components can be fabricated off-planet. Several small metal parts were 3D printed in microgravity aboard the space station and subsequently sent back to Earth for structural evaluation.
Cargo operations supported the mission throughout its stay. NASA's Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission delivered fresh produce and incoming research projects to the station aboard a Cygnus XL spacecraft.
The crew members are scheduled to complete undocking and return procedures in early October 2026.
