SpaceX Crew-12 Heads Home: The Final Chapter of an Orbital Adventure

Four astronauts are returning from the International Space Station — and their journey offers a reminder that coming home is a vital part of every space adventure.

Imagine spending months above Earth, then preparing to feel its gravity again. For SpaceX’s Crew-12 astronauts, that moment is approaching.

Their Dragon spacecraft, Freedom, undocked from the International Space Station on 7 October 2026. Splashdown is scheduled for 8 October in the Pacific Ocean off California, bringing almost eight months away from Earth to a close. Read the Space.com report.

Meet the Crew Coming Home

Travelling aboard Freedom are NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.

The mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 13 February. For Hathaway and Adenot, it was their first journey into space; Meir and Fedyaev had each flown once before. NASA’s departure update.

Their time aboard the station involved scientific experiments, maintenance and spacewalks. Adenot also made history by becoming the first French woman to walk in space — a milestone for European exploration and an inspiring moment for future astronauts. Space.com’s mission coverage.

For readers inspired by life above Earth, our orbital space experiences offer a starting point for exploring the possibilities of a future journey into orbit.

Every Space Adventure Includes a Journey Home

Launches capture our attention with fire, sound and anticipation. A return to Earth brings a different kind of excitement: the prospect of familiar faces, fresh air and life on the ground.

That human side of spaceflight is easy to overlook. However extraordinary the view from orbit, the people enjoying it still have homes and families waiting below.

For anyone dreaming of space travel, Crew-12’s homecoming invites a bigger picture of the experience. The adventure includes preparation, life aboard a spacecraft and the return journey that completes it.

Preparation can be an adventure in itself. RocketBreaks’ Earth-based astronaut training experiences introduce curious explorers to the skills, mindset and practical realities associated with human spaceflight.

At RocketBreaks, that whole journey is what captures our imagination.

How to Watch Crew-12’s Return in the UK

NASA’s live return coverage is scheduled to begin on Thursday 8 October at 3:20pm BST, with splashdown targeted for 4:34pm BST. Timings may change as mission teams assess conditions.

Coverage will follow the spacecraft’s final approach to Earth, including re-entry and splashdown. See NASA’s coverage announcement and watch through NASA’s live channels.

Where Could Your Curiosity Take You?

Watching astronauts return from orbit can spark a surprisingly personal thought: what would it feel like to experience space yourself?

Whether your interest begins with weightlessness, astronaut training or the dream of seeing Earth from above, there is plenty to explore. For more inspiration, read Adventures in Space: The Ultimate Journey with RocketBreaks.

Speak to RocketBreaks about your space ambitions and start exploring your own adventure.