NASA has announced the team for the eagerly anticipated Artemis II lunar mission.
During an event at Ellington Field near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Monday, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) introduced the crew members heading to space.
“The crew of the Artemis II represents thousands of people who have worked tirelessly to deliver us to the stars. This is their crew, our crew, and humanity’s crew “NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated.
“NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Hammock Koch, as well as CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, each have their own tale,” he continued. “We are ushering in a new period of discovery for a new breed of star sailors and dreamers – the Artemis Generation,” says the author.
NASA says the crew will work together to complete an ambitious series of demonstrations during the lunar flyby. The 10-day mission, like the first uncrewed Artemis I mission, is laying the groundwork for future long-term human exploration missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.
The expedition will be the first time in more than 50 years that humans will fly close to the moon. “The team includes the first woman, first person of color, and first Canadian on a lunar mission, and all four astronauts will symbolize the finest of humanity as they explore for the benefit of everyone,” said NASA Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche. “This mission paves the path for the development of human deep space exploration, as well as new potential for scientific discoveries, economic, industrial, and academic collaboration, and the Artemis Generation.”
This will not be Koch’s first trip to space. She previously worked as a flight engineer aboard the space station for Expeditions 59, 60, and 61, setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman of 328 days in space and taking part in the first all-female spacewalks.
Glover will also be making his second spaceflight, having previously served as pilot on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1, which landed on May 2, 2021, after 168 days in space.
“I couldn’t be more proud that these brave four will jumpstart our travels to the Moon and beyond,” said NASA Johnson Director of Flight Operations Norm Knight.
“They are exactly what an astronaut corps should be: a diverse group of highly skilled and accomplished individuals with the abilities and resolve to face any challenge as a team,” he exclaimed.
“The Artemis II mission will be difficult, and we will push ourselves to our limits as we prepare to land future astronauts on the Moon. I have no doubt that with Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy at the helm, we’ll be ready to confront any obstacle that comes our way “Knight elaborated.
