NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Set for Wednesday Undocking

A significant event is unfolding as NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 prepares for its undocking and return to Earth. This mission involves four crew members, including NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

Preparation for Undocking

The crew spent Tuesday packing their belongings and reviewing procedures for their upcoming return. They also transferred important hardware aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Under the guidance of mission managers, the team has been cleared for departure.

Details of the Mission

• Undocking Time: Scheduled for 5:05 p.m. EST on Wednesday.
• Splashdown: Expected at 3:41 a.m. on Thursday off the coast of California.
• Live Coverage: NASA+ will broadcast key events, starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Zena Cardman will take command of the SpaceX Dragon, with Mike Fincke serving as the pilot. Kimiya Yui and Oleg Platonov will fulfill roles as mission specialists. Together, they will execute essential tasks before leaving the ISS, including transferring one more set of emergency gear.

Operational Activities Before Departure

Cardman conducted training exercises with her crewmates to ensure preparedness for emergencies, such as a potential ammonia leak. Fincke and Yui worked on uninstalling scientific equipment from the space station and loading it into Dragon.

Post-Departure Crew on the ISS

Following the departure of Crew-11, the ISS will continue its operations under Expedition 74. Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov will take command. He will be supported by Flight Engineers Sergei Mikaev and Chris Williams.

On Tuesday, Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev engaged in a test designed to evaluate teamwork and decision-making in space. Kud-Sverchkov also participated in a blood pressure study and completed a treadmill fitness test, while Mikaev focused on inventorying cargo in the station’s Roscosmos segment.

How to Follow the Mission

For ongoing updates on space station activities, users can track the official blog, as well as social media accounts on platforms including X, Facebook, and Instagram. The latest information from NASA is also available through weekly subscriptions.

The countdown to the SpaceX Crew-11 undocking has commenced, and excitement is building for the team’s return to Earth.