NASA has selected four astronauts, including Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch from the US, as well as Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, who will form the first crewed mission to the moon in five decades.
At 47 years old, Wiseman is a decorated naval aviator and test pilot with extensive experience in space travel. He has completed one prior spaceflight, spending 165 days aboard the International Space Station. As commander of the Artemis II mission, he will lead the crew on their historic journey to the moon's surface.
Hansen, also 47 years old, is a fighter pilot from Canada who was selected for astronaut training in 2009. He has recently taken charge of training for new NASA astronauts and will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space.
Glover, 46 years old, is a naval aviator with extensive experience in space travel. He piloted the second crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and spent nearly six months aboard the International Space Station. As part of the Artemis II mission, he will embark on his second spaceflight to explore the moon.
Christina Koch, 44 years old, is a veteran astronaut with extensive experience in spacewalks and long-duration missions. She holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and has completed six spacewalks, including the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. As part of the Artemis II mission, she will continue her legacy as a pioneering female astronaut.
The four astronauts will embark on their journey to the moon's surface aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, which is expected to launch around November 2024. The crew will spend about 10 days in space, potentially traveling further than any human has before. The Artemis II mission marks an historic milestone for NASA, paving the way for future missions to establish a permanent lunar outpost and sending humans to Mars.
The selection of the four astronauts was done with diversity and inclusivity in mind, according to NASA officials. The crew will undergo rigorous training to prepare them for the challenges they will face on their mission.
The Artemis II mission is expected to pave the way for future missions, including the Artemis III mission, which aims to put the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface. However, delays in technology development are expected to push the launch date to 2026 or later.
At 47 years old, Wiseman is a decorated naval aviator and test pilot with extensive experience in space travel. He has completed one prior spaceflight, spending 165 days aboard the International Space Station. As commander of the Artemis II mission, he will lead the crew on their historic journey to the moon's surface.
Hansen, also 47 years old, is a fighter pilot from Canada who was selected for astronaut training in 2009. He has recently taken charge of training for new NASA astronauts and will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space.
Glover, 46 years old, is a naval aviator with extensive experience in space travel. He piloted the second crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and spent nearly six months aboard the International Space Station. As part of the Artemis II mission, he will embark on his second spaceflight to explore the moon.
Christina Koch, 44 years old, is a veteran astronaut with extensive experience in spacewalks and long-duration missions. She holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and has completed six spacewalks, including the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. As part of the Artemis II mission, she will continue her legacy as a pioneering female astronaut.
The four astronauts will embark on their journey to the moon's surface aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, which is expected to launch around November 2024. The crew will spend about 10 days in space, potentially traveling further than any human has before. The Artemis II mission marks an historic milestone for NASA, paving the way for future missions to establish a permanent lunar outpost and sending humans to Mars.
The selection of the four astronauts was done with diversity and inclusivity in mind, according to NASA officials. The crew will undergo rigorous training to prepare them for the challenges they will face on their mission.
The Artemis II mission is expected to pave the way for future missions, including the Artemis III mission, which aims to put the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface. However, delays in technology development are expected to push the launch date to 2026 or later.