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Zena Cardman Named Commander of NASA’s Crew-11 Mission

The Crew-11 team prepares for their mission to the International Space Station.

News Summary

Zena Cardman, a Bruton High School graduate, has been appointed as the commander for NASA’s upcoming Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station. This marks her first flight into space, leading a diverse team of astronauts from three different space agencies. The mission will involve scientific research and will last eight months, focusing on human physiology in space. Cardman, who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017, has extensive academic and research backgrounds. Her role symbolizes a significant step in her space exploration career and connects her journey back to her educational roots.

Williamsburg, Illinois – Zena Cardman, a graduate of Bruton High School, has been named the commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission, which is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) in July of this year. This mission marks Cardman’s inaugural flight into space, where she will lead a team of four astronauts representing three different space agencies.

The Crew-11 mission will be an eight-month-long assignment aboard the ISS, during which the crew is expected to conduct a range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations. As the mission commander, Cardman is responsible for ensuring the success of the mission and aims to foster a collaborative environment among her team members, whom she describes positively.

Cardman, who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017, has undergone two years of rigorous basic training to prepare for her spaceflight duties. Prior to her selection, she was pursuing a doctorate in geosciences at Pennsylvania State University, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in marine science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mission Composition and Tasks

The Crew-11 team consists of four members: Cardman as commander, Mike Fincke as pilot, Kimiya Yui from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as mission specialist, and Oleg Platonov from the Russian space agency Roscosmos as another mission specialist. Together, they will carry out important research, including studies on human physiology and the various effects that space has on the human body. The mission will also feature an experiment conducted by Cardman on herself, contributing to the broader understanding of human health in space environments.

Carrying on a Legacy

Cardman, a Williamsburg resident from the Queens Lake subdivision, found inspiration for her career in space by watching meteor showers and through the influence of her science teachers. Her former biology teacher, Emil Davis, has praised her as a unique combination of curiosity, motivation, and intellect. Cardman has previously participated in various research projects, including work in extreme environments such as caves and the deep sea, and has traveled to both Antarctica and the Arctic for her studies.

Before her assignment to Crew-11, Cardman served as a backup crew member for the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, gaining valuable experience in support of real-time station operations and lunar surface exploration planning. Her upcoming role in Crew-11 is a significant stepping stone in her space exploration career.

A Look Ahead

As launch day approaches, Cardman expressed gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about witnessing Earth from space. She has invited Emil Davis to attend the launch, reflecting her connection to her high school roots and the important role education has played in her journey. The Crew-11 mission promises to contribute meaningful research that could advance space exploration and benefit humanity as a whole.

This summer, as Zena Cardman embarks on her mission aboard a Dragon spacecraft, she carries not only the hopes of her team but also the pride of her hometown and the legacy of those who inspired her along the way.