Crew-11 will also work with next-generation bioreactors. Crew-11 is headed to the International Space Station soon, carrying with them a su...
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| Crew-11 will also work with next-generation bioreactors. |
A major focus of the mission is to test advanced navigation and landing systems that simulate lunar descent conditions. These systems will help refine future Artemis program landings on the Moon's surface, ensuring astronauts can touch down safely in challenging environments like the lunar south pole.
On the biological side, Crew-11 will conduct in-depth physiological research to examine the effects of microgravity on muscle atrophy, cardiovascular strain, immune response, and bone density loss. Insights from these experiments will directly inform countermeasures needed for astronauts spending over a year in space—particularly on future Mars missions.
The crew will also work with next-generation bioreactors that could one day grow food, recycle waste, or produce medicine in space. These closed-loop life-support experiments are critical for enabling long-term survival in deep space, far from Earth-based resupply.
As part of an international partnership, Crew-11 includes astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Each agency brings its own unique research modules and objectives, reinforcing the global nature of space science and exploration.
In addition to science, the crew will test autonomous robotic systems, AI-assisted monitoring tools, and enhanced radiation shielding—all intended to minimize crew workload and exposure during extended interplanetary travel.
With Crew-11’s mission, NASA is not only continuing its legacy of innovation aboard the ISS, but also building a crucial scientific bridge to the Artemis missions and humanity’s next great leap: setting foot on Mars
