Crew-11 Successfully Docks to ISS, Joins Expedition 73

International Team Arrives Aboard SpaceX Dragon Capsule

A new international crew has successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), marking a key milestone in global space collaboration. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos docked with the ISS in the early hours of Saturday, completing a smooth and precisely timed orbital maneuver.

The Dragon capsule, part of NASA’s Crew-11 mission with SpaceX, approached the space station with visual documentation showing the ISS from Dragon’s perspective as it closed in. The spacecraft docked to the station’s Harmony module at its space-facing (zenith) port at precisely 2:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, completing another successful chapter in commercial spaceflight.

Multinational Crew Aboard Dragon

The arriving crew includes:

• NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke

• JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui

• Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov

Their mission, part of Expedition 73, will contribute to a broad range of scientific research and maintenance aboard the orbiting laboratory over the coming months.

The arrival of Crew-11 marks another example of international cooperation aboard the ISS, which continues to serve as a unique model of peaceful collaboration in space between agencies including NASA, ESA, JAXA, Roscosmos, and others.

Docking Followed by Routine Procedures

Following the successful docking, astronauts aboard both the SpaceX Dragon and the ISS initiated standard leak checks and pressurization procedures. These checks are routine safety protocols conducted before opening the hatch to allow crew transfer between the vehicles.

These procedures were carried out over the course of more than an hour after docking, ensuring a secure and airtight connection between the spacecraft and the station.

Hatch Opens to Welcome Crew-11

At approximately 3:46 a.m. EDT, the hatches between the SpaceX Dragon capsule and the International Space Station were officially opened. This allowed the newly arrived crew to float aboard the ISS and begin integrating with the current Expedition 73 team.

The occasion was broadcast live on NASA+, with ongoing coverage through the official welcome ceremony, which included greetings from mission control and brief remarks from the arriving astronauts.

Expedition 73 Gains Momentum

The arrival of Crew-11 significantly boosts the operational capabilities of Expedition 73, enabling an increased tempo of research activities in microgravity. Over the course of their mission, the crew will conduct experiments ranging from human health in space to physics, technology demonstrations, and climate science.

Their presence also allows for a smooth rotation of responsibilities and provides critical support for maintaining the complex systems aboard the space station.