HOUSTON, Texas — NASA and the Canadian Space Agency have announced the crew members for the highly-anticipated Artemis II mission, which will mark NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon since the Apollo missions. The four-member crew revealed at an event near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch, and Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen.
The Artemis II mission builds on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission, completed in December, and is a crucial step towards NASA’s goal of establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. This mission will also pave the way for future human exploration missions to Mars.
The approximately 10-day Artemis II flight test will launch on NASA’s powerful Space Launch System rocket and will see the crew validate the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space. The mission will also prove the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems, which will be crucial for supporting long-term missions.
The Artemis II mission is of particular significance as it sets the stage for the first woman and first person of color to walk on the Moon. This milestone marks an important step towards promoting diversity and inclusion in the space industry and inspiring the next generation of space explorers.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his excitement for the upcoming mission, stating that “Artemis II will be the first of many missions that will establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and prepare us for the journey to Mars. This mission represents a critical milestone in our journey to expand humanity’s presence in deep space.”
The Artemis II mission is currently scheduled to launch in 2024 and represents a major step forward for human space exploration. With this exciting announcement, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are one step closer to achieving their goal of establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon and eventually exploring the Red Planet.