NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 Safely Returns to Earth After Long-Duration Science Expedition on Space Station

Crew members supported dozens of ISS National Lab-sponsored projects to advance life and physical sciences research, technology demonstrations, student experiments, and more

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's SpaceX Crew‑11 mission safely splashed down off the coast of California early Thursday morning, returning from a science expedition onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew's return concludes a mission dedicated to cutting‑edge research that advances humanity's presence in space and benefits life on Earth.

NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov spent more than 165 days on the space station supporting hundreds of research investigations. These studies included biology and physical sciences research, in-space manufacturing, technology development, and student‑driven experiments.

Many of these investigations were sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory ®, which leverages the unique space environment to advance scientific discoveries that benefit humanity, prepare the next generation, and cultivate a sustainable economy in low Earth orbit (LEO). Below are some of the projects the Crew-11 astronauts supported during their mission.

For more information on ISS National Lab-sponsored research supported by crew members on the space station, visit our Missions & Launches page. To learn more about results from R&D conducted on station, subscribe to Upward, the official magazine of the ISS National Lab.

Download a high-resolution image for this release: Crew-11 Returns to Earth

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:

The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory ® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space ® (CASIS ®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

Media Contact:

Patrick O'Neill

904-806-0035

[email protected]

International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory

Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space ® (Casis ®)

1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 • 321.253.5101 • www.ISSNationalLab.org

SOURCE International Space Station National Lab