July 10, 2025 The four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station train inside a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in Hawthorne, California. From left to right: Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui. Credit: SpaceX HOUSTON–NASA is planning for the launch of its four-person SpaceX Crew 11 Dragon mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch is to happen no earlier 12:09 p.m. EDT on July 31, initiating the next multiweek exchange of seven astronauts and cosmonauts. NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, a marine scientist launching for the first time, will serve as the Dragon commander. Her crew includes: NASA astronaut and Dragon pilot Mike Fincke, a retired U. S. Air Force colonel on his fourth mission to the ISS since 2004. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) chief astronaut Kimiya Yui, a mission specialist on his second mission to the ISS. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, a mission specialist on his first spaceflight. Their Crew Dragon Endeavour will be launching for the sixth time, the most yet for a reusable Dragon capsule and with an upgraded heatshield and drogue parachutes for its return with the Crew 11 fliers after a 6-8-month stay aboard the ISS, according to information provided by NASA managers during a July 10 NASA prelaunch news briefing. Docking to the ISS U.S segment Harmony module is planned for 3 a.m. EDT on Aug. 2. Once on board the ISS, the Crew 11 fliers are to lead a transition from the orbital lab’s Expedition 72/73 missions by replacing the Crew 10 Dragon foursome that launched Mar. 14. Crew 10 includes: