The four astronauts NASA picked for the first crewed moon mission in 50 years
The four astronauts NASA picked for the first crewed moon mission in 50 years
NASA has officially named the four astronauts for the upcoming lunar mission, marking a pivotal step toward a long-awaited return to the Moon. The crew will embark on training for the Artemis II flyby, scheduled to launch in November 2024. This mission will be the first crewed venture to the Moon since the Apollo program concluded in 1972.
Commander: Reid Wiseman
Wiseman, a 47-year-old decorated naval aviator and test pilot, was chosen for NASA’s astronaut program in 2009. He previously traveled to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket in 2014, spending 165 days in orbit. Prior to his role as chief of the astronaut office, Wiseman had served in various military units across the U.S. and Japan. His expertise in spaceflight and leadership will make him a key figure for Artemis II.
Flight Engineer: Victor Glover
Glover, a 46-year-old naval aviator, completed his first space mission in 2021 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, spending nearly six months on the International Space Station. Before joining NASA, he served as a legislative fellow in the U.S. Senate. Over his career, he accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours, including 400 carrier arrested landings and 24 combat missions. His experience with commercial spaceflight will be vital for the Artemis II crew.
“It’s so much more than the four names that have been announced,” Glover stated during the Monday event at NASA Johnson Space Center. “We need to celebrate this moment in human history. … It is the next step in the journey that will get humanity to Mars.”
Flight Engineer: Christina Koch
Koch, 44, has conducted six spacewalks, including the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. She holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with 328 days spent in orbit. An electrical engineer, she contributed to the development of scientific instruments for multiple NASA missions. Koch’s time at the South Pole, where she endured a grueling year-long stay, could prepare her for the challenges of a lunar mission.
Crew Member: Jeremy Hansen
Hansen, a 47-year-old Canadian fighter pilot, was selected for astronaut training by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009. He is one of only four active Canadian astronauts and recently became the first to oversee training for a new NASA astronaut class. His role in Artemis II will see him become the first Canadian to explore deep space, launching from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center aboard NASA’s Space Launch System rocket.
The Artemis II crew will travel beyond the Moon, with the exact distance depending on the launch date and Earth-Moon alignment. After completing a 10-day journey, the spacecraft will return to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific. This mission will lay the groundwork for Artemis III, which aims to land the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface. However, key technologies like the lunar lander and spacesuits remain under development.
