NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the launch of the Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for July 31, 2025. This mission marks the 11th operational crew rotation under NASA's Commercial Crew Program and the 12th human spaceflight mission to the ISS supported by the Dragon spacecraft since 2020.
The Crew-11 team comprises NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Cardman will serve as the mission commander, Fincke as the pilot, with Yui and Platonov as mission specialists. This mission will be Cardman's first spaceflight, while Fincke, Yui, and Platonov are returning to space for their fourth, second, and first missions, respectively.
The crew will launch aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Endeavour, atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Endeavour has previously supported five missions, including Demo-2, Crew-2, Axiom-1, Crew-6, and Crew-8, making it SpaceX's most-flown Crew Dragon spacecraft to date.
Following launch, the crew is expected to dock with the ISS approximately 39 hours later, marking the longest time between launch and rendezvous for a Crew Dragon ISS mission to date. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will join existing members to conduct scientific experiments and routine space station operations. The mission is scheduled to return to Earth in April 2026, completing a six-month stay aboard the ISS.
For those interested in participating virtually, NASA is offering online registration for the launch event. Virtual guests will receive curated mission resources, stay informed with the latest updates, and collect a commemorative stamp for their virtual guest passport after liftoff—all delivered straight to their inbox. Registration is free and open to everyone, highlighting the inclusive nature of this initiative.
The ISS continues to serve as a vital testbed for NASA to study the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to foster commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. The Crew-11 mission is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and international partners in advancing human space exploration.