SpaceX launches international crew to space station on 6-month NASA mission
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SpaceX Crew-11 Launches to International Space Station
Above: Crew-11 mission astronauts walk out of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building on Aug. 1, 2025, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Image copyright: Paul Hennessy/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This mission showcases U.S. space leadership and commercial innovation at its finest. SpaceX's reliable Dragon capsule continues to prove that private companies can deliver astronauts safely while advancing critical research for future Mars missions. This launch shows how public-private partnerships drive forward the advancement of space exploration.
Narrative B
International cooperation remains the backbone of space exploration, with Russian, Japanese and American crew members working together despite earthly tensions. The mission's scientific focus on health challenges and deep space preparation benefits all humanity, not just American interests. Astronauts don't stop at borders, and neither should science.