1. Mission Overview
SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission launched successfully on August 1, 2025, at 11:43 a.m. EDT from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket carried the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft with four international astronauts on board.
This is the 11th operational crew rotation mission by SpaceX for NASA under the Commercial Crew Program, and the 12th Crew Dragon human spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2020.
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| SpaceX: Four Astronauts Begin Six-Month |
2. Crew Members
The Crew-11 astronauts include:
Zena Cardman (NASA) – Mission CommanderMichael Fincke (NASA) – Pilot
Kimiya Yui (JAXA) – Mission Specialist
This diverse international team will conduct scientific research and perform station operations during a six-month stay aboard the ISS.
3. Launch and Docking Timeline
Original launch date: July 31, 2025 (scrubbed due to adverse weather)
Successful launch: August 1, 2025, 11:43 a.m. EDTDocking: Expected at 3:00 a.m. EDT on August 2, 2025, roughly 15 hours after launch
NASA provided a live broadcast of the docking as the Crew Dragon Endeavour approached the orbiting laboratory.
4. Mission Objectives
The Crew-11 mission will focus on a broad range of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, including:
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Plant cell division in microgravity – key to future food production during long-duration spaceflight.
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Impact of microgravity on viruses – research critical for medical advances on Earth and in space.
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Generation of human stem cells and nutrient compounds – foundational for deep space travel and regenerative medicine.
5. Falcon 9 Booster and Reusability Milestone
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster completed its final landing on Landing Zone 1 following liftoff. This marks a symbolic moment as the landing pad is scheduled for retirement, highlighting SpaceX’s ongoing evolution in its booster reuse and refurbishment strategy.
6. Key Milestones for the Crew-11 Mission
Marks the 12th Crew Dragon flight to the ISS since 2020.
Continues international collaboration, involving NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos.Strengthens the Commercial Crew Program’s role in maintaining ISS operations.
7. What’s Next?
The Crew-11 astronauts will spend six months aboard the ISS, conducting experiments and maintaining critical systems. Their work will directly support NASA’s Artemis program and long-term goals for Mars exploration.
Upon mission completion, Crew-11 will return to Earth via Crew Dragon Endeavour, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico depending on conditions.
8. Quick Facts
Mission Name: Crew-11
Spacecraft: Crew Dragon EndeavourRocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center LC-39A
Docking: ISS (August 2, 2025, ~3:00 a.m. EDT)
Mission Duration: ~6 months
Final Take
SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission underscores the strength of public-private partnerships in space exploration. As the astronauts begin their six-month mission, their research will advance humanity’s knowledge in life sciences, space health, and deep space mission readiness
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