NASA Shares SpaceX Crew-11 Assignments for Space Station Mission
By Science Correspondent
NASA has announced the astronauts and cosmonauts selected for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), marking the 11th crew rotation flight as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
The mission, slated for launch no earlier than July 2025, will feature four crew members from three different space agencies.
The crew will consist of NASA astronauts Commander Zena Cardman and Pilot Mike Fincke, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
They will embark on a long-duration science mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting important scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at preparing for future missions to the Moon and beyond.
This flight continues NASA’s collaboration with SpaceX to maintain a regular presence in low Earth orbit.
The Crew-11 mission will also support the agency's Artemis program, which is focused on returning humans to the Moon as a stepping stone for human exploration of Mars.
Experienced Crew with Diverse Backgrounds
Commander Zena Cardman, who was originally assigned to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission, will be making her first spaceflight on Crew-11. A native of Williamsburg, Virginia, Cardman holds a master’s degree in Marine Sciences and has conducted research on subsurface environments.
Since being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017, she has been involved in station operations and lunar surface exploration planning.
Mike Fincke, also a NASA astronaut, brings a wealth of experience to the mission. Fincke, who has previously flown to the ISS three times, will be making his fourth spaceflight with Crew-11. He has spent a total of 382 days in space and completed nine spacewalks.
A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Fincke is a graduate of both MIT and Stanford University and has contributed to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program over the past decade.
Kimiya Yui, the JAXA astronaut on the crew, will be flying to the ISS for the second time. Yui, who has logged 142 days in space, previously served as a flight engineer for Expedition 44/45 and was the first Japanese astronaut to capture JAXA's H-II Transfer Vehicle. He has also led JAXA's Astronaut Group since 2016.
For Oleg Platonov, Crew-11 marks his first spaceflight. Selected as a cosmonaut in 2018, Platonov has trained in various areas, including piloting aircraft, zero gravity, and wilderness survival. He holds an engineering degree from the Krasnodar Air Force Academy and is currently assigned as a test cosmonaut with Roscosmos.
A Continuous Presence in Space
The mission will continue the more than two-decade-long human presence aboard the ISS, which has advanced scientific research and technological innovations that benefit both space exploration and life on Earth.
As NASA works towards a robust low Earth orbit economy, the Crew-11 mission is part of the ongoing effort to expand commercial opportunities in space, laying the groundwork for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.
To learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, visit NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
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