SpaceX Successfully Launches Four Astronauts to the International Space Station
By James Adams | August 2, 2025
In a dazzling display of modern space exploration, SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, August 1, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew-11 mission, carried out aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, marks the company’s 12th crewed mission for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, reinforcing its pivotal role in human spaceflight.
The international crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman (commander) and Mike Fincke (pilot), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, lifted off at 11:43 a.m. EDT (1543 GMT) after a one-day delay due to unfavorable weather conditions. The launch, originally scheduled for July 31, proceeded smoothly under clear skies, with the Falcon 9 rocket roaring to life from Launch Complex 39A. The crew, aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft named Endeavour, is expected to dock with the ISS around 3:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 2, for a six-month mission conducting scientific experiments and station operations.
This mission is a significant milestone for the crew members. For Cardman and Platonov, it’s their first spaceflight, while Yui embarks on his second and Fincke his fourth. The astronauts will join Expedition 72/73, where they’ll conduct research, including studies on plant cell division, microgravity’s effects on bacterial-killing viruses, and experiments to produce human stem cells in space. These efforts aim to advance technologies for future deep-space missions and commercial space endeavors.
The launch faced a minor hiccup when Thursday’s attempt was scrubbed due to cloud cover, but SpaceX teams quickly adjusted, ensuring a successful liftoff on Friday. The Falcon 9’s first stage landed precisely at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral, marking another reusable rocket success. Once docked, the Crew-11 team will relieve the Crew-10 astronauts, who arrived in March, allowing for a brief handover period before the outgoing crew returns to Earth.
The mission underscores the strength of international collaboration, with the U.S., Japan, and Russia working together despite global tensions. “Life is a journey. It takes many turns, and I’m just grateful to be here,” Cardman said, reflecting on the team’s unity and purpose. The crew’s mascot, a crocheted origami crane, symbolizes peace and optimism, as highlighted by commander Anne McClain of the earlier Crew-10 mission.
SpaceX’s reliability in crewed missions continues to shine, with Endeavour making its sixth flight to the ISS. The company’s partnership with NASA has transformed access to low Earth orbit, making routine crew rotations a reality. As one X user posted, “Successful launch of the SpaceX Crew 11 Mission. Four more ‘Astronauts’ are going to the International Space Station,” capturing the excitement surrounding the event.
The Crew-11 mission is set to push the boundaries of scientific discovery while paving the way for future exploration. Stay tuned for updates on their journey and experiments aboard the ISS.
Stay tuned to street.co.ke for more on this in the coming days!