NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, alongside JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, have arrived at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida as they prepare for their mission to the International Space Station. The four astronauts flew from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, landing at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility at 1:12 p.m. EDT on July 26, 2025.
“We are absolutely joyed to be here at Kennedy Space Center,” said Cardman, who will serve as the Crew-11 commander. “This is the first moment when it’s really starting to feel real. This is the beginning of a week when things will feel progressively more and more real as we approach our launch.”
Launch Plans and Mission Details
The astronauts are scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX’s Dragon “Endeavour” on a Falcon 9 rocket from KSC’s Launch Complex 39A on July 31, 2025, at 12:09 p.m. EDT. Should the launch proceed as planned, the crew is expected to dock with the International Space Station on August 2, joining Expedition 73 and later Expedition 74.
Fincke, who will act as the Crew-11 pilot, expressed his excitement about returning to KSC. “Boy, it’s great to be back. One of the last times I landed at the [LLF] was on space shuttle Endeavour, and now we get to go on another endeavor, a Dragon Endeavour, this time.”
The mission is a significant step in ongoing international cooperation in space exploration, furthering the partnership between NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos.
Preparations Underway
On July 25, mission managers approved the launch preparations after a successful flight readiness review. This green light indicates that all systems are functioning correctly and that the team is on track for the upcoming launch.
“We’re looking forward to launching soon,” Fincke stated, highlighting the anticipation surrounding the mission. The Crew-11 team is poised to contribute to vital research conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory, continuing humanity’s quest for knowledge beyond Earth.
As the countdown to launch continues, the excitement among the astronauts and mission control is palpable. With the world watching, the Crew-11 mission represents another milestone in the ongoing exploration of space.
