(NewsNation) — NASA’s Crew-11 team shared their expectations for the upcoming crew rotation to the International Space Station, along with some of the ways they will take a little bit of home with them.
The mission is expected to launch in late July or early August and will carry a crew of four.
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov will travel to the ISS on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The group will conduct experiments, including research on the human body.
It will be Cardman’s first spaceflight and Fincke’s fourth. Yui will be traveling to the space station for the second time and Platanov will also be making his first spaceflight.
The crew will be at the space station on the 25th anniversary of continuous human spaceflight and are taking memories from Earth with them on their trip.
Most said they were taking photographs, and Fincke said he would also be carrying an Indian silk scarf known as a gamosa, a symbol of blessings from his wife’s side of the family.
Cardman and Fincke were originally set to travel to the ISS earlier, but plans were changed to allow Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return home after an unexpectedly long stay.
Cardman said while she was disappointed as an individual, space exploration isn’t about any one person.
“Spaceflight is not about me or any individual, it’s what we can do together,” she said. “Life is a journey, it takes many turns, and I’m just grateful to be here.”
As experienced astronauts, Fincke and Yiu were asked about their favorite space foods. Fincke said he was most fond of tortillas, while Yiu chose Japanese food, something he said he also shares with fellow ISS crew to help encourage friendships.