NASA astronaut Zena Cardman is set to lead the upcoming SpaceX Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station, bringing a blend of scientific curiosity, leadership, and poetic insight to one of the most demanding roles in modern exploration.
A native of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and raised in Williamsburg, Virginia, Cardman traces her path to spaceflight back to the questions that sparked her childhood imagination. “In a lot of ways, science and exploration is just innate to us as human beings,” she said. “That’s why toddlers ask so many ‘why’ questions. It’s just part of who we are.”
Cardman will command a mission focused on research critical to the future of human spaceflight. Much of the work aboard the ISS centers on studies of Earth, biology, and long-term health—especially as NASA sets its sights on deeper space destinations like the Moon and Mars. As part of the mission, Cardman herself is enrolled in CIPHER, a comprehensive medical study designed to better understand the physical toll of extended space travel.
Cardman said, “I’m very excited to be actually a test subject for a lot of the medical research that we’re doing on board the ISS.”
Cardman’s own scientific background is expansive. She studied biology in college, inspired by an exceptional high school teacher, and expanded her interests to include microbiology, chemistry, and geosciences. As an undergraduate, she conducted research in marine science, including work in remote environments like Antarctica—experience that helped prepare her for the isolation and teamwork required in space.
In addition to her scientific work, Cardman minored in creative writing, a pursuit that continues to inform how she thinks about space and exploration. “I’ve always valued that chance to study the creative side of my brain,” she said. “Looking up at the cosmos is inspiring. It helps me answer questions like, what are we doing here? Who are we?”
As mission commander, Cardman sees her role not just as a technical leader but as a caretaker of her crew’s wellbeing—before, during, and after their time in orbit. “My role as commander is to bring out the best in my crewmates,” she said. “Spaceflight by definition requires collaboration.”
Now preparing for launch, Cardman is focused on the bigger picture: enabling a future where space exploration can bring a better understanding ourselves. “I don’t think we grow if we don’t challenge ourselves,” she said. “We have to take some risks… and I can’t wait to see what we discover.”
