NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission has concluded a significant chapter in space exploration, returning to Earth after a remarkable 167 days in orbit. The crew, comprising NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, will hold a news conference on January 21, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. EST, to discuss their scientific endeavors aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The crew members splashed down off the coast of San Diego on January 15, 2026, and arrived in Houston shortly thereafter. They will undergo standard postflight reconditioning and evaluations at Ellington Field’s Guppy Hangar. During their mission, they traveled nearly 71 million miles and completed over 2,670 orbits around Earth, dedicating more than 165 days to work aboard the ISS.
Throughout their time in space, the Crew-11 astronauts conducted hundreds of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. These efforts are part of NASA’s ongoing commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and preparing for future human exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.
The upcoming news conference will be accessible via live coverage on NASA’s YouTube channel, with media invited to participate both in person and virtually. For those attending in person, advance registration is required by January 20, 2026. Questions can also be submitted through social media using the hashtag #AskNASA.
This mission exemplifies the success of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to the ISS through partnerships with American private industry. This collaboration is crucial for expanding access to low Earth orbit, facilitating more scientific research, and creating additional commercial opportunities.
For over 25 years, the ISS has served as a platform for continuous human presence in space, enabling advancements in various scientific fields and the demonstration of new technologies essential for future exploration.
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