Crew-11 Astronauts Share 167 Days in Space at NASA Event

NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, along with Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, are bringing their space station stories back down to Earth. On June 1, the three crew members will share highlights from their 167-day mission at a public event in Washington, DC.

The Crew-11 mission launched on August 1, 2025, marking a major milestone for Cardman, who completed her first spaceflight. Fincke, a space veteran on his fourth mission, has now logged 549 days in space, making him the fourth most experienced NASA astronaut in history.

During their time aboard the station, the four-person crew traveled an incredible 71 million miles and circled Earth more than 2,670 times. They splashed down safely off the coast of San Diego on January 15, wrapping up months of critical scientific work.

The crew conducted hundreds of hours of experiments designed to benefit life on Earth and prepare humanity for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Their research ranged from biology and physics to testing new technologies in the unique microgravity environment.

The mission also gave the astronauts a front-row seat to a historic moment. On November 2, 2025, they helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of continuous human presence aboard the orbital laboratory, a testament to international cooperation in space.

Why This Inspires

This mission shows what's possible when nations work together toward a common goal. The Crew-11 team included astronauts from NASA, Japan's space agency, and Russia's Roscosmos, all living and working side by side 250 miles above Earth.

Their work isn't just about exploring space. Every experiment conducted on the station helps scientists understand more about human health, materials science, and technologies that could solve problems here on Earth.

For Cardman, the mission proved that dreams of spaceflight are within reach for a new generation of explorers.

The June 1 event will take place at 11 a.m. at NASA Headquarters and is part of the agency's Frontiers Forum series, which brings together leaders shaping the future of space exploration.