On July 26, 2025, the four astronauts of SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission made their way to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a crucial milestone ahead of their scheduled liftoff to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 31. This arrival comes after their departure from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, where they boarded a NASA aircraft and flew to Kennedy for the final stages of preparation. The crew includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Oleg Platonov from Roscosmos. As they touched down at the Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at 1:12 p.m. EDT, anticipation surrounding the mission continued to grow, a sentiment shared by the astronauts themselves.

Their arrival signals the start of the final phase before their mission to the ISS, where they will join Expedition 73 and later Expedition 74. The mission will showcase a continued collaboration between NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos, with SpaceX leading the charge in private spaceflight. The Crew-11 astronauts will launch aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on July 31 at 12:09 p.m. EDT (1609 GMT).

The Excitement Builds at Kennedy Space Center

Upon their arrival at Kennedy Space Center, the astronauts could not hide their excitement for what lies ahead. Zena Cardman, Crew-11 commander, shared her feelings of joy, saying, “We are absolutely joyed to be here at Kennedy Space Center.” For her, this moment marked the realization that their mission was about to turn into a reality. “This is the first moment when it’s really starting to feel real,” she added. “This is the beginning of a week when things will feel progressively more and more real as we approach our launch.”

Cardman’s words reflect the overwhelming sense of anticipation that often accompanies milestones in space exploration. From a scientific standpoint, this mission is not only about reaching the ISS but also about showcasing the capabilities of SpaceX in ferrying astronauts aboard the Dragon Endeavour. This mission is another step toward cementing the company’s reputation as a reliable partner in space exploration, with public-private collaborations becoming increasingly pivotal in furthering humanity’s presence in space.

The members of SpaceX’s Crew 11 arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, July 26, 2025, ahead of their scheduled launch to the International Space Station. From left to right: Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke of NASA; Kimiya Yui of JAXA; and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos. (Image credit: NASA)

A Look Back for Mike Fincke: Full Circle Moment at the LLF

Mike Fincke, Crew-11 pilot, also expressed deep emotion as he reflected on his history with Kennedy Space Center. “Boy, it’s great to be back,” he remarked, reminiscing about his past experiences with NASA’s shuttle program. “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.”

Fincke’s words serve as a poignant reminder of how far space exploration has come since the shuttle program ended in 2011. The LLF has seen multiple significant milestones in space history, and for Fincke, returning to this iconic location symbolizes both a personal journey and a broader narrative about the evolution of spaceflight.

This time, however, the mission is different, as it involves a cutting-edge commercial spacecraft. SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour will not only carry astronauts to the ISS but will also continue to demonstrate the capabilities of reusable rocket technology. This connection to the past is symbolic of how modern space missions combine experience and innovation to drive humanity forward in space exploration.

Crew-11’s Role in the Ongoing Mission to the ISS

The mission of Crew-11 is not just about the astronauts’ personal journeys but also about contributing to ongoing scientific research aboard the ISS. As part of the Expedition 73 and later Expedition 74, Crew-11 will work alongside international astronauts to carry out experiments and tasks that will advance our understanding of life in space, technology, and science.

The importance of these missions is underscored by the collaboration between multiple space agencies and SpaceX. Each of the Crew-11 members brings unique expertise to the table, from Cardman’s background in research and engineering to Yui’s extensive experience in space operations with JAXA. The involvement of Roscosmos further highlights the global effort to explore and understand space.