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SpaceX Successfully Launches Crew-11 Mission

August 2, 2025

In a major milestone for the NewSpace industry, SpaceX successfully launched its Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on August 1, 2025, at 11:43 AM ET from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, carrying four crew members, underscores the growing role of private companies in human spaceflight and the increasing reliability of commercial partnerships with NASA.

The Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the Crew Dragon spacecraft, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A under favorable weather conditions after a one-day delay due to cloud cover. The crew, led by NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, includes three other astronauts from diverse international backgrounds, marking another step in global collaboration in space exploration.

The company’s reusable Falcon 9 booster returned safely to the arms of Mechazilla back on Earth and landed at Landing Zone 4 shortly after stage separation, exemplifying the cost-saving innovations driving the commercial space industry.

The Crew-11 astronauts will spend several months aboard the ISS, conducting experiments that push the boundaries of scientific research in microgravity. Their work will contribute to NASA’s broader goals of advancing space exploration, including preparations for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2026.

Sources

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2025, August 1). NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 launches to International Space Station. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spacex-crew-11-launches-to-international-space-station/?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=NASA&utm_campaign=NASASocial&linkId=848118419

CBS News. (n.d.). Space news. https://www.cbsnews.com/space/