NASA and SpaceX launched a four-member international crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, marking the 11th crew rotation under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The Crew-11 mission, carrying astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia, aims to advance lunar exploration research and microgravity experiments critical for future deep-space missions.
The crew—NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov—lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule Endeavor. The reusable spacecraft has now completed five missions, underscoring its role in reducing spaceflight costs.
During their six-month stay, the team will simulate lunar landing scenarios near the Moon's South Pole, part of NASA's Artemis program. Experiments include testing handheld controllers for piloting spacecraft in variable gravity, studying plant cell division, and analyzing microgravity's impact on bacteriophages (viruses that combat bacteria). Additional research will focus on scaling human stem cell production and creating on-demand nutrients for long-duration missions.
The ISS crew will temporarily expand to 11 members before Crew-10 returns to Earth. Mission teams will prioritize safe splashdown conditions for the departing team, NASA stated.
Since 2000, the ISS has served as a vital platform for preparing humanity for Mars missions. Plans to decommission the station after 2030 include a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean's remote Point Nemo, ensuring minimal risk to populated areas.
