SpaceX Crew-11 Begins Key ISS Science Mission

A multinational crew of four astronauts—NASA’s Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA’s Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos’s Oleg Platonov—successfully launched aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour and docked with the ISS after a 15-hour autonomous flight from Kennedy Space Center. Their arrival temporarily raised the ISS population to 11 as they joined Expedition 73, preparing for crew handover. Crew-11’s six-month mission focuses on scientific research in biology, technology, human health, and advanced propulsion, including 3D printing and solar sail experiments critical for future deep-space exploration. Crew assignments were adjusted due to Boeing’s Starliner delays and other health or scheduling issues, demonstrating flexibility in mission planning. The mission comes as the ISS approaches its 25th anniversary of continuous human habitation in November and prepares for retirement in 2030. The work conducted by Crew-11 aims to expand human knowledge and prepare for exploration beyond low Earth orbit.