Expedition 74 Resumes Full Science Operations Aboard ISS with Crew-12 Integration

The seven-member Expedition 74 crew is now fully operational aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following the arrival of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The crew is resuming its full schedule of advanced space science and lab maintenance as the Crew-12 quartet acclimates to station life.

Crew-12 Integration and Initial Tasks

Crew-12, comprised of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on Friday, February 13, 2026, and successfully docked with the ISS a day later [NASA]. Following standard safety checks, the crew spent the weekend unpacking scientific equipment and cargo from the Dragon capsule and adjusting to the microgravity environment. They have begun their assigned research duties, designed to benefit both life on Earth and future space exploration.

Scientific Research Underway

Meir, on her second spaceflight, replaced a camera within the Destiny laboratory module’s Microgravity Science Glovebox to investigate methods for controlling spacecraft fuel tank pressure caused by the evaporation of cryogenic propellants. Hathaway, a first-time space flyer, prepared equipment to measure how the human body adapts to microgravity and reviewed operational procedures for the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox with NASA Flight Engineer Chris Williams.

Adenot, France’s second female astronaut in space, swapped out computer hardware supporting research into manufacturing medicine in space and conducted an exercise session although advanced video equipment monitored her musculoskeletal system. Fedyaev, who previously traveled to the ISS in March 2023 aboard a Dragon spacecraft as part of Expedition 69, is currently studying the effects of weightlessness on his sense of balance, orientation, cognition, and breathing.

Expedition 74 Support and Ongoing Research

Williams, who arrived at the station in November with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, is assisting Crew-12 with familiarization of the station’s hardware, systems, and procedures. He continued helping the new crew unpack the Dragon capsule and investigated the use of ultraviolet light for spacecraft disinfection to inhibit microbial growth and protect crew health and equipment.

Station Commander Kud-Sverchkov and Flight Engineer Mikaev completed automated Earth photography in various wavelengths during crew sleep periods. Kud-Sverchkov also performed maintenance on orbital plumbing and life support systems within the Learning module. Mikaev inventoried Roscosmos station hardware and explored the potential of artificial intelligence-assisted tools to enhance crew efficiency.

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