CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – July 27, 2025 –
The four members of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission have arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, signaling the final stretch of preparations for their highly anticipated launch to the International Space Station (ISS). This upcoming mission, targeted for Thursday, July 31st, from Launch Complex 39A, continues the vital tradition of blending seasoned spacefarers with first-time flyers, all while contributing to a momentous year for the orbiting laboratory, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The Crew-11 quartet, comprising NASA astronauts Zena Cardman (Commander) and Mike Fincke (Pilot), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui (Mission Specialist), and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov (Mission Specialist), flew from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, to the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, July 26th.
For Commander Zena Cardman and Cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, this will mark their inaugural journey into space, representing a new generation of explorers. They will be guided by the extensive experience of Mike Fincke, who embarks on his fourth spaceflight, having accumulated 382 days in orbit across previous expeditions and shuttle missions. Kimiya Yui will be making his second trip to the ISS.
“We are absolutely joyed to be here at Kennedy Space Center,” said Commander Cardman upon arrival. “This is the first moment when it’s really starting to feel real.”
The Crew-11 mission is not only a routine crew rotation but also takes place in a significant year for the ISS. The station celebrated its 25th anniversary in November 2023, commemorating a quarter-century since the launch of its first module. The ISS stands as a testament to international collaboration in space, having continuously hosted humans for over 23 years and serving as a unique microgravity laboratory for groundbreaking scientific research.
During their six-month stay aboard the ISS, the Crew-11 astronauts are slated to conduct a wide array of scientific experiments, contributing to research that aims to prepare for future human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and benefit life on Earth. Their work will include studies on plant cell division, the effects of microgravity on bacteria-killing viruses, and experiments to produce higher volumes of human stem cells and generate on-demand nutrients. They will also contribute to NASA’s Artemis campaign by simulating Moon landing scenarios.
The crew will launch aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, named “Endeavour,” which will be making its sixth flight to space, making it SpaceX’s most-flown Crew Dragon to date. Following liftoff on Thursday, the Crew Dragon is expected to autonomously dock with the Harmony module of the ISS on Saturday, August 2nd.
The arrival of Crew-11 signifies the imminent continuation of human presence and scientific discovery aboard the International Space Station, ensuring its ongoing legacy as a beacon of global cooperation in space exploration.
