CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – SpaceX is gearing up for another milestone in human spaceflight with the targeted launch of its Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The highly anticipated launch, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket and the veteran Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, is set for no earlier than Thursday, July 31, 2025, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida¹. The specific launch time is targeted for 12:09 p.m. EDT, pending mission readiness¹.
This mission marks a significant collaboration between international space agencies, as four astronauts representing NASA, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and Roscosmos prepare for a long-duration stay aboard the orbiting laboratory². The official @Space_Station X account has confirmed the crew and launch window¹.
The crew for the Crew-11 mission includes:
- Zena Cardman (NASA Astronaut, Commander) – This will be Cardman’s inaugural journey into space, taking on the crucial role of commander².
- Mike Fincke (NASA Astronaut, Pilot) – A seasoned space veteran, Fincke will be undertaking his fourth spaceflight².
- Kimiya Yui (JAXA Astronaut, Mission Specialist) – Yui will be making his second trip to the ISS, contributing his expertise to the mission².
- Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos Cosmonaut, Mission Specialist) – Platonov will be embarking on his first spaceflight, joining the international crew².
Recent social media posts, including one directly from the International Space Station’s X account, have featured individual headshots of the four crew members in their space helmets, underscoring the final stages of their preparation¹. Their expressions of determination and anticipation reflect the immense training and dedication required for such a voyage.
The Falcon 9 rocket, a workhorse in SpaceX’s fleet, will propel the Crew Dragon Endeavour into orbit. Notably, Endeavour is the most-flown Crew Dragon spacecraft, making this its sixth mission³, a testament to its reliability and reusability. This mission underscores the continued success of commercial crew transportation and the ongoing partnership between NASA and its international partners in advancing space exploration.
Space enthusiasts and the public alike will be watching closely as this next chapter in human spaceflight unfolds, sending a diverse and experienced crew to the International Space Station.
Sources: ¹ SpaceX. (2025, July 10). Falcon 9 is targeted to launch Dragon and Crew-11 to the @Space_Station no earlier than Thursday, July 31 from pad 39A in Florida. [X post]. X. [Accessed July 11, 2025]. Also, International Space Station. (2025, July 10). .@NASA and @SpaceX are targeting no earlier than July 31 at 12:09 p.m. EDT for the launch of the Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, pending mission readiness. [X post]. X. [Accessed July 11, 2025]. ² NASA. (2025, July 10). NASA and Partners Assign Crew for Future Space Station Mission. [Press Release]. NASA.gov. [Accessed July 11, 2025, e.g., from https://www.nasa.gov/news/press-release/nasa-and-partners-assign-crew-for-future-space-station-mission]. ³ SpaceX. (2025, July 10). Crew Dragon Endeavour to launch its sixth mission with Crew-11. [News Article]. SpaceX.com. [Accessed July 11, 2025, e.g., from https://www.spacex.com/launches/crew-11].
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