Get ready for liftoff! UNC Chapel Hill alum heads to space on NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission

A former University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill student, and now a NASA astronaut, Zena Cardman, is set to embark on her first spaceflight as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 Mission.

Scheduled for launch no earlier than August, Cardman will join three other crew members on a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

As part of Expeditions 71 and 72, they will conduct critical research and contribute to ongoing operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.

This upcoming spaceflight marks Cardman's first venture into space, and her leadership role in the mission underscores her accomplishments since becoming a NASA astronaut.

The Williamsburg, Virginia, native's background in biology and marine sciences, along with her expertise in geosciences, positions her as a valuable contributor to the mission's objectives.

With a total of 203 days in space, this mission will be an important milestone in Cardman's career, showcasing her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to space exploration.