SpaceX Crew-12 Launch Today: Falcon 9 to Send Four Astronauts to International Space Station at 3:45 PM IST

The next chapter in human spaceflight is set to unfold as SpaceX prepares to launch the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Scheduled for lift-off at 3:45 pm IST, the mission continues the commercial crew programme led in partnership with NASA, ensuring a steady rotation of astronauts living and conducting research in orbit.

The Crew-12 mission will be carried aboard a Falcon 9 rocket launching from Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. For viewers in India, the afternoon launch time provides an accessible opportunity to witness a major milestone in space exploration through live digital broadcasts. The mission aims to transport four astronauts who will spend approximately eight months aboard the ISS, supporting ongoing scientific studies and station operations.

The astronaut team includes commander Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, and mission specialists Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev. The flight marks a significant achievement for Adenot, who is set to become the first astronaut from her European Space Agency class to travel to space. Once docked, the crew will join Expedition 74, filling operational gaps created after a previous mission returned early due to medical concerns.

Science remains at the heart of the Crew-12 mission. The astronauts are expected to conduct more than 200 experiments, many focused on understanding how the human body adapts to microgravity. One of the key projects is the Venous Flow study, which investigates how blood clots develop in space — research that could have implications for both astronaut safety and medical science on Earth. The crew will also examine Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, a condition affecting vision during long-duration missions, while testing manual piloting techniques that could support future lunar expeditions.

Weather conditions ahead of launch are reported to be highly favourable, with teams closely monitoring wind patterns along the ascent path. If everything proceeds as scheduled, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS roughly 28 hours after lift-off, officially beginning the crew’s orbital assignment.

Space enthusiasts can follow the launch live through NASA’s official streaming platforms and social media channels. Coverage will include pre-launch preparations, astronaut suit-up procedures and the final countdown sequence. SpaceX is also expected to broadcast unique onboard camera views, including the Falcon 9’s first-stage landing attempt back on Earth — a signature feature of the company’s reusable rocket system.

As global collaboration in space exploration continues to expand, Crew-12 represents another step toward long-duration missions and future journeys beyond low Earth orbit. The mission highlights how partnerships between government agencies and private space companies are reshaping access to space while advancing scientific discovery.