NASA and SpaceX have set a launch date of July 31, 2025, for the Crew-11 mission, which will transport four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft alongside a Falcon 9 booster.
This upcoming mission marks the sixth flight for the Crew Dragon Endeavour, solidifying its status as SpaceX’s most experienced crew vehicle to date. According to Sarah Walker, SpaceX’s director of Dragon mission management, Endeavour has previously carried 18 astronauts from eight countries since its debut mission with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley in 2020. Walker noted, “This Dragon spacecraft has successfully flown 18 crew members representing eight countries to space already, starting with Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley in 2020, when it returned human spaceflight capabilities to the United States for the first time since the shuttle retired in July 2011.”
Upgraded Technology and Crew Details
For the Crew-11 mission, Endeavour will feature SpaceX’s upgraded drogue 3.1 parachutes, aimed at enhancing reentry safety. This set of parachutes will undergo its first operational test during the mission, reflecting SpaceX’s ongoing commitment to improving its human-rated spacecraft.
The Falcon 9 booster designated for this launch is core B1094, which has previously supported two Starlink missions and the private Ax-4 mission on June 25, 2025. Crew-11 comprises four astronauts: NASA’s Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, alongside Kimiya Yui from Japan and Oleg Platonov from Russia.
Coordinated Efforts for ISS Operations
The timing of Crew-11’s arrival at the ISS is critical, as NASA is synchronizing a series of missions, including the departure of Crew-10 and the arrival of SpaceX’s CRS-33 mission. Bill Spetch, a NASA official, highlighted the necessity for meticulous planning given the limited launch resources available. He stated, “Providing multiple methods for us to maintain the station altitude is critically important as we continue to operate and get the most use out of our limited launch resources that we do have.”
As Crew-11 proceeds with its mission, the successful coordination of these various flights will be essential for maintaining the operational status of the ISS. The upcoming launch not only emphasizes SpaceX’s advancements in space travel but also marks a significant milestone in international collaboration in human spaceflight.
