Crew-12 Returns as ISS Operations Continue
Crew-12 has returned to Earth, marking a successful mission. The ISS remains operational with ongoing activities.
| Active satellites | 15,777 |
| Starlink active | 10,063 |
| Catalogued objects | 31,557 |
| Active close approaches | 25 |
| People in space | 10 |
Crew-12 has safely returned to Earth, concluding their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew landed on 9 October 2026, following a six-month stint in orbit. The ISS continues to operate with its current complement of astronauts, maintaining a busy schedule of scientific experiments and maintenance tasks.
NASA's Martian Moons Mission
NASA is preparing to highlight its contributions to an upcoming mission focused on the Martian moons. This mission aims to further our understanding of Mars' natural satellites, Phobos and Deimos, and their potential as stepping stones for future human exploration. The initiative is part of NASA's broader efforts to expand human presence in the solar system, as discussed in their recent briefing.
Monitoring Orbital Debris
Orbital Radar's live catalogue currently tracks 31,557 objects in space, including 10,097 pieces of debris. Recent close approaches, such as the near encounter between EDUSAT and CZ-6A DEB with a minimum distance of approximately 1.76 km, underscore the importance of monitoring space debris. These events are part of the 25 active close approaches being tracked, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining space situational awareness. For a detailed view of the debris environment, visit the Debris Map.
What to Watch
While no launches are scheduled for the immediate future, the space community remains attentive to upcoming missions and events. NASA's SSPICY mission, aimed at demonstrating in-space inspection technologies, is among the initiatives to watch. For the latest updates on planned launches, refer to the Launch Schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the ISS?
How many objects are currently tracked in orbit?
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). Crew-12 Returns as ISS Operations Continue. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-09"Crew-12 Returns as ISS Operations Continue." Orbital Radar, 9 October 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-09.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_10_09,
title = {Crew-12 Returns as ISS Operations Continue},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-09}}
}
