NASA astronaut Zena Cardman will command the SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), currently targeted for launch no earlier than July 2025. This mission is a significant milestone, marking Cardman's first spaceflight and her first time as commander.
Cardman, born in Urbana, Illinois, holds degrees in Biology and Marine Sciences. Her research background includes geobiology and geochemical cycling, with experience in Antarctic expeditions and lunar surface exploration planning. She was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017.
The Crew-11 mission will include NASA astronaut Mike Fincke as pilot, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui as mission specialist, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov as mission specialist. The launch is scheduled to take place from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission duration and specific landing details will be announced closer to the launch date.
In April 2025, Cardman and her crew participated in training sessions at Launch Complex 39A. Outside of her professional life, Cardman enjoys rock climbing, poetry, and powerlifting.