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NASA Astronaut Zena Cardman to Command SpaceX Crew-11 Mission

NASA astronaut Zena Cardman has been selected to lead the upcoming SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for launch in July. This appointment comes after Cardman’s last-minute removal from a previous mission last year. She will command a four-member crew that includes Pilot Mike Fincke from NASA, Mission Specialist Kimiya Yui from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Mission Specialist Oleg Platonov from Russia’s Roscosmos. Together, they will embark on an extended mission at the ISS.

Crew Composition and Mission Details

As noted in a statement from NASA, Cardman’s selection for Crew-11 follows her previous exclusion from the Crew-9 mission in August of last year. This shift was necessary to prioritize the safe return of astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams after Boeing’s Starliner capsule encountered technical difficulties. These complications included thruster malfunctions and helium leaks during a test flight to the ISS, ultimately leading to the Starliner being returned to Earth uncrewed in September due to safety concerns.

Astronaut Experience and Background

The Crew-11 mission will represent a significant milestone for both Cardman and Platonov, as it will be their first journey into space. NASA selected Cardman in 2017, while Platonov was chosen by Roscosmos in 2018. In contrast, pilot Mike Fincke brings extensive experience to the mission, having completed three prior spaceflights and spent a total of 382 days aboard the ISS during missions in 2004, 2008, and 2011. Kimiya Yui, who served as a flight engineer on ISS Expeditions 44 and 45, has spent 142 days in space between 2014 and 2015.

Changes Following Starliner Mission

Reports indicate that Cardman and fellow astronaut Stephanie Wilson were reassigned from Crew-9 due to alterations made by NASA to facilitate Starliner’s crew recovery. While Wilson’s new assignment has not been publicly disclosed, Mike Fincke had previously been scheduled for the inaugural Starliner mission. The launch timeline for Starliner-1 remains unclear pending the resolution of ongoing technical issues from earlier missions. Meanwhile, Crew-11 is poised to ensure a continuous human presence aboard the ISS, aiding in crucial scientific research and daily operations.

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