SpaceX Conducts Static Fire Test for Upcoming Crew-12 Launch

A static fire test of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was successfully conducted at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on February 8, 2026. This key test involved the ignition of the nine Merlin 1D engines and is a critical step towards the launch of the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The engines fired for approximately ten seconds at 3:16 a.m. EST (0816 UTC), validating the rocket’s systems ahead of its upcoming flight.

This test is part of a series of preparations that will ensure a successful mission. Following the static fire, teams will analyze the data to confirm the vehicle’s readiness for launch. Additionally, a dry dress rehearsal is scheduled, allowing astronauts to practice launch day procedures, including boarding the Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft.

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, along with Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will participate in the rehearsal. They will don upgraded flight suits similar to those used in previous missions, enhancing safety and functionality during their time in space.

Once in orbit, the Crew-12 team will carry out an approximately eight-month mission aboard the ISS. This launch will mark the second human spaceflight mission to take off from Space Launch Complex 40, which has become a crucial hub for SpaceX operations.

On launch day, the Falcon 9 booster will return to Earth for landing at the newly established Landing Zone 40, expected to occur less than eight minutes after liftoff. This innovative landing approach is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs in space travel.

As preparations continue, the collaboration between NASA and SpaceX underscores a significant advancement in human spaceflight capabilities, paving the way for future missions that will further explore the mysteries of space.