NASA’s Crew-12 returns after 237 days of research and spacewalks

NASA’s Crew-12 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off Los Angeles on Thursday, October 8, ending a 237-day mission aboard the International Space Station. The four astronauts traveled more than 100 million miles and completed research that NASA says could inform future missions beyond Earth orbit. Detailed results from the experiments have yet to be reported.

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway returned with European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule touched down at 8:34 a.m. Pacific time. Recovery teams retrieved the spacecraft and crew shortly afterward, according to NASA.

Why Crew-12’s return was delayed

The crew launched on February 13 and docked with the space station the following day. Its return was held up when the replacement crew arrived three weeks late because of capsule repairs, the Associated Press reported. Crew-12 departed the station on Wednesday, October 7, and splashed down the next day.

The delay placed the return later than the departure NASA had previously discussed, but the splashdown now establishes the mission’s end. Across its 237 days in space, the crew completed more than 3,792 orbits of Earth, NASA said. Meir and Fedyaev were each on their second spaceflight; Hathaway and Adenot were on their first.

What Crew-12 studied aboard the space station

The crew also demonstrated technology intended to generate intravenous fluids on demand. NASA described the capability as potentially useful on long missions far from Earth, where supplies must be planned carefully. The release reports a demonstration, but gives no detailed assessment of how the technology performed or when it might be used operationally.

Other work examined whether bacteria that cause pneumonia may contribute to lasting heart damage. NASA also listed studies of nutrition and of how individual physical characteristics may affect blood flow during spaceflight. The agency connected these questions to astronaut health and future exploration, without reporting detailed findings for each experiment.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman credited personnel across NASA, SpaceX and international partners for the crew’s safe return. Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Program, said station transport and research help build the science and engineering needed for later missions. Those are the agency’s assessments of the work; the available accounts do not provide an independent evaluation of the experiments’ results.

Spacewalk records and the next crew briefing

Meir completed four spacewalks during Crew-12, bringing her career total to seven. NASA said that places her third among women at the agency for career spacewalks, behind former astronauts Peggy Whitson and Suni Williams. Adenot completed three spacewalks and became the first French woman to venture outside the station, NASA said.

The Associated Press reported another milestone for Adenot: her 237 days in orbit set an endurance record for the European Space Agency. After the capsule landed, Meir radioed, ‘We are so excited to be back on Planet Earth after an incredible mission on the International Space Station,’ according to AP.

NASA said the astronauts would receive routine medical evaluations and travel to shore before heading to Johnson Space Center in Houston. Its release does not give later findings about their health. Adenot will return to Europe, NASA said, while Meir, Hathaway and Fedyaev are expected to take part in a crew news conference at Johnson Space Center.

That briefing is scheduled for October 15 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. NASA says the returning astronauts will discuss their experiences and research. Until more results are available, the confirmed account is of a completed mission, documented work aboard the station and research applications that remain prospective.