Crew-11 launches to ISS aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket

On August 1, 2025, the United States successfully launched Crew-11 to the International Space Station (ISS) using SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket. This mission marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. Launching from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Crew-11 departed at 11:43 a.m. EDT after a scrubbed attempt the previous day due to weather conditions. The crew comprises NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui, and the Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, each playing vital roles in the mission with specialties and varying levels of experience in space travel. Cardman serves as the mission commander while Fincke acts as the pilot, with Yui and Platonov designated as mission specialists. This mission is significant as it represents the sixth operational flight of Endeavour, SpaceX's most frequently used Crew Dragon capsule. The astronauts will relieve their predecessors who have been aboard the ISS since March, ensuring continuity of human presence in low Earth orbit and supporting ongoing scientific research and studies. Crew-11's primary focus includes critical experiments that could aid future long-duration spaceflights. Notably, they will investigate how to grow essential nutrients such as vitamins in space to enhance astronaut health on extended missions. Testing on biological materials like yogurt, kefir, and a yeast-based drink focuses on supporting nutritional needs. Another experiment, Stem Cells X IP1, aims to understand the growth of stem cells in microgravity, potentially leading to advancements in cancer research. Additionally, the Genes in Space 12 experiment will explore alternative medical treatments for bacterial infections using phage therapy, which may have important implications for space travel where traditional antibiotics could be less effective. The mission is also expected to address potential health issues astronauts may face during deep space missions, especially during NASA's Artemis program and planned journeys to Mars. Crew members will participate in a series of studies conducted by NASA’s Human Research Program, which includes the use of thigh cuffs to manage bodily fluids during their time in microgravity. These comprehensive experiments are designed to protect astronauts' health during extended missions and improve outcomes for future space expeditions.