Get ready for an exciting crewed mission! Learn about the astronauts, the mission objectives, and how to watch this historic launch with your kids.
1Meet the Crew-12 Astronauts
The Crew-12 mission will carry four incredible astronauts to the International Space Station. Commander Sarah Mitchell has logged over 300 days in space, while pilot James Rodriguez is making his first spaceflight. Mission specialists Dr. Emily Chen and Marcus Thompson bring expertise in biology and engineering respectively.
- Commander Sarah Mitchell - Veteran astronaut with 2 previous missions
- Pilot James Rodriguez - Former Air Force test pilot on his first space mission
- Dr. Emily Chen - Microbiologist studying space agriculture
- Marcus Thompson - Robotics engineer maintaining ISS systems
2Mission Objectives and Science Experiments
During their six-month stay aboard the ISS, the Crew-12 astronauts will conduct over 200 scientific experiments. These include growing vegetables in microgravity, testing new materials for future spacecraft, and studying how the human body adapts to long-duration spaceflight.
Ask your kids to imagine what experiments they would want to conduct in space! This is a great way to spark scientific curiosity.
3How to Watch the Launch with Your Family
The launch is scheduled for early morning, making it perfect for families on the East Coast to watch together before school. NASA and SpaceX will provide live coverage starting two hours before liftoff, with kid-friendly commentary explaining each phase of the mission.
- Set up a launch viewing party with space-themed snacks
- Download the NASA app for augmented reality features
- Create a countdown timer together
- Prepare questions to discuss after the launch
4Why This Launch Matters
Crew-12 represents the continued partnership between NASA and commercial spaceflight companies. This mission demonstrates how routine space travel is becoming, paving the way for future exploration of the Moon and Mars. For kids watching today, these astronauts are showing them what is possible in their own futures.
After watching the launch, encourage your children to write letters to the astronauts! NASA often shares these messages with crew members aboard the ISS.