A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A at 10:45 a.m. on August 1, 2025, beginning NASA’s 11th crew rotation mission to the International Space Station. The Dragon spacecraft carried NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The launch marks the 12th human spaceflight mission to the Space Station supported by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft since 2020.
The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to maintain U.S. leadership in human spaceflight. The crew will spend approximately six months on the Space Station conducting scientific research and maintenance work. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully reached orbit, with the first stage landing back at Launch Complex 39A shortly after liftoff.
This flight continues a partnership between NASA and SpaceX that has delivered 51 astronauts to the Space Station since 2020. The crew includes two first-time space travelers, Zena Cardman and Kimiya Yui, who will conduct experiments in biology, Earth science, and technology demonstrations. Mike Fincke and Oleg Platonov are returning to the Space Station for their second and third missions, respectively.
The launch was visible across much of Florida’s east coast, with clear skies and minimal delays reported. SpaceX and NASA officials confirmed the mission is on track for a successful docking with the Space Station later this week. The flight follows a series of recent launches from the Space Coast, including Starlink missions and cargo resupply flights to the Space Station.