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On February 13, 2026, SpaceX launched the Crew-12 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for an eight-month stay. The mission aims to support the skeleton crew of three left behind after a medical evacuation from the ISS.
On February 13, 2026, NASA and SpaceX launched the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying four astronauts on an eight-month mission. The crew is set to dock at the ISS on February 14, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX.
The European Space Agency"s Cheops satellite has discovered a unique planetary system around the star LHS 1903, featuring an unusual order of planets that challenges current understanding of planet formation. This finding suggests that the planets may have formed sequentially rather than simultaneously.
The Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully launched two spy satellites into geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Space Force on Thursday, February 12, despite experiencing a significant performance anomaly in one of its solid rocket motors. The mission marked the fourth launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket and demonstrated its ability to overcome technical challenges.
A team of astronomers has observed a star in the Andromeda galaxy vanish after brightening and fading, potentially indicating the formation of a new black hole. This discovery challenges current understanding of black hole formation and could have significant implications for our knowledge of the universe.
On February 13, 2026, SpaceX will launch the Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying four astronauts aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission aims to bring the ISS back up to its normal complement of seven crewmembers after being staffed with a skeleton crew of three since mid-January.
The European Space Agency"s Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched with four P120C boosters for the first time, demonstrating its heavy-lift capabilities by carrying 32 Amazon Leo satellites to low-Earth orbit. This milestone marks a significant step forward in European spaceflight, showcasing the rocket"s ability to carry up to 21.6 tonnes to low Earth orbit.
European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot will launch to the International Space Station alongside NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev on February 13. The Crew-12 mission marks a significant milestone in international cooperation and space exploration, with the crew set to spend approximately nine months aboard the ISS.
The Ariane 64, the most powerful version of the Ariane 6 rocket, successfully launched from Europe"s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying 32 satellites for the Amazon Leo broadband constellation. This milestone marks the first launch of the Ariane 6"s most powerful version and demonstrates its capability to haul significant payloads to low Earth orbit.
NASA has begun loading liquid hydrogen into the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket as part of an unannounced test, aiming to verify repairs to a leaky umbilical connection. This test is a crucial step towards the success of the Artemis 2 mission.
A four-astronaut crew launched to the International Space Station on February 13, restoring the orbiting laboratory to its full seven-person capacity. The Crew-12 mission, commanded by astronaut Jessica Meir, will conduct an eight-month stay aboard the ISS.
The United Launch Alliance"s Vulcan rocket experienced a problem with one of its solid rocket boosters shortly after launch on February 12, 2026, but continued on its planned trajectory to deliver payloads for the U.S. Space Force. The incident occurred during the USSF-87 mission, which includes at least one Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellite.
The B612 Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is working to protect Earth from asteroid impacts through education and research, including promoting methods such as kinetic impact deflection. The foundation's efforts are part of a broader initiative to advance knowledge about near-Earth objects (NEOs) and mitigate potential threats to the planet.
The Exploration Company has successfully completed mock splashdown tests for its modular, reusable Nyx space capsule at the Umberto Pugliese towing tank facility in Italy, marking a significant technical milestone in the development of the spacecraft. The tests, conducted between January 13-28, bring the company closer to its goal of launching a full test flight of the Nyx capsule to the International Space Station by 2028.
The US Space Force is hosting an event to discuss new approaches to collapse space kill chains, featuring presentations from industry experts on the latest strategies and technologies. This event aims to explore innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness of space-based target detection, tracking, and engagement.
The United Launch Alliance is set to launch the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force, carrying multiple satellites including the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program system, with a launch window opening at 3:30 a.m. EST on Thursday morning. The mission aims to deliver its payload to Geosynchronous Earth orbit, marking a significant operation for the U.S. Space Force.
China has achieved a significant milestone in its crewed lunar program by successfully conducting a low-altitude abort test of its next-gen Mengzhou capsule, demonstrating the spacecraft's ability to safely maneuver away from its launch vehicle in emergency situations. This test brings China one step closer to sending astronauts to the moon as early as 2030.
SpaceX successfully launched 24 new Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on February 11, 2026, marking the company's 12th expansion of its Starlink network this year. This launch brings the total number of Starlink satellites in orbit to further enhance global internet connectivity and other satellite-powered services.
Small satellite manufacturers are experiencing increased demand for mini-constellations, which can provide specialized services such as constant custody or continuous coverage over a specific area. These constellations, typically consisting of dozens to hundreds of satellites, offer a range of benefits for governments and companies seeking tailored solutions.
The Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed mission to the moon in over half a century, has limited launch windows due to orbital mechanics and mission requirements. The mission will send astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon, with launch windows available on specific dates in March and April.
NASA's Artemis 2 mission, scheduled to launch in March 2026, will orbit the moon with a crew of four astronauts aboard the Orion Spacecraft, launched by the powerful Space Launch System rocket. The mission has been delayed from its initial February 8 launch date due to technical issues.
Astronomers continue to search for remnants of comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS, which broke apart near the sun in 2020, with predictions suggesting a half-kilometer-wide chunk may still be in orbit. The ongoing search provides valuable insights into comet breakup and the potential risks associated with near-Earth objects.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is working to increase its launch rate after the departure of CEO Tory Bruno, with a focus on its new Vulcan rocket and aiming for 18-22 launches in 2026. The company has a backlog of about 80 missions and is adapting to changes in its customer base, including the US Space Force's decision to reassign some satellite launches to SpaceX.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) aims to launch between 18 and 22 times in 2026, with a mix of Atlas 5 and Vulcan missions, marking a significant increase in launch cadence. This surge in launches is driven by a large backlog of missions, including a major contract with Amazon to deploy its broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit.