SpaceX Crew-11 Launches on Falcon 9 to International Space Station

Liftoff and Ascent

• 🚀 Ignition is full power and lift off as NASA SpaceX Crew 11 begins its journey to the International Space Station.
• ⚡ The Falcon 9 generates 1.7 million pounds of thrust, propelling the Dragon spacecraft and its four-person crew.
• 📈 The vehicle successfully passes through max Q (maximum aerodynamic pressure) during its ascent.

Stage Separation and Second Stage Burn

• 🧩 Stage separation confirmed as the first and second stages of the Falcon 9 divide.
• 🌟 The Merlin vacuum engine on the second stage ignites to continue carrying Crew 11 towards orbit.
• 🌍 The first stage begins its return journey to Earth, aiming for landing zone one.

Dragon Reaches Orbit

• 🛰️ The Dragon spacecraft, carrying Crew 11, is seen coasting into its orbit after separation from the second stage.
• ✅ Dragon separation confirmed, marking the successful arrival of the spacecraft into orbit.
• 💬 The Dragon chief engineer congratulates the crew, wishing them a great mission and thanking them for flying with SpaceX.

Mission Overview

• 🧑‍🚀 The NASA SpaceX Crew-11 mission includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA's Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos' Oleg Platonov.
• 🗓️ This marks the 11th crew rotation mission and the 12th human spaceflight mission supported by the Dragon spacecraft since 2020.
• 🌐 The crew is set to arrive at the International Space Station on August 2nd, joining Expedition 73.