NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the upcoming Crew-11 mission, scheduled to launch on July 31, 2025, at 12:09 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks the 11th crew rotation under NASA's Commercial Crew Program and will transport four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended science expedition.
The Crew-11 team comprises NASA astronauts Zena Cardman (commander) and Mike Fincke (pilot), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. This mission will be the first spaceflight for Cardman and Platonov, the second for Yui, and the fourth for Fincke. The crew will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to support future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Their research includes studies on human physiology, simulated lunar landings, and the development of advanced life support systems. Additionally, the crew will participate in the Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research (CIPHER) study, which involves vision assessments, MRI scans, and other medical exams to provide a comprehensive overview of the body's response to long-duration spaceflight. The data collected will contribute to future deep-space missions and enhance our understanding of human health in space.
The mission is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour, which will be making its sixth flight, the most for any Crew Dragon spacecraft to date. Endeavour has previously supported missions Demo-2, Crew-2, Axiom-1, Crew-6, and Crew-8. The Falcon 9 booster designated B1094, which has launched in two previous Starlink missions and the private Ax-4 mission, will be used for this launch. The Crew-11 mission is part of a series of missions that will celebrate the 25th anniversary of continuous human presence on the ISS in October 2025, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners in advancing human space exploration.