NASA and SpaceX are set to launch Crew-11, a mission carrying four astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour, on July 31 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This will be the spacecraft’s sixth flight and solidify its reliability as one of SpaceX’s most trusted crewed vehicles.
The crew includes Zena Cardman, a first-time space traveler; Mike Fincke, with extensive experience; Kimiya Yui, who has previously visited the ISS; and Oleg Platonov, making his first space journey. The diverse team will board a spacecraft that has successfully flown 18 astronauts from eight countries to space.
The Crew Dragon Endeavour has undergone upgrades for this mission, including new drogue 3.1 parachutes for enhanced re-entry performance. This upgrade supports SpaceX’s commitment to improving safety and efficiency with each mission.
A tight launch schedule is in place, coinciding with other ISS missions and requiring precise coordination. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Crew Dragon Endeavour on its first stage, designated B1094, which has supported previous missions.
This mission marks a significant milestone – 25 consecutive years of human presence aboard the ISS. NASA’s continuous collaboration with international partners and commercial partners has achieved this feat. The Crew-11 mission will contribute to ongoing scientific experiments, station maintenance, and preparation for future missions, including the Artemis program and exploration of the Moon and Mars.
As SpaceX continues to refine its technology, the Crew Dragon Endeavour’s new parachute upgrades will be put to the test during this mission. With a reliable spacecraft and precise launch timing, NASA is poised for continued success in space exploration.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/07/nasa-and-spacexs-crew-11-mission-to-launch