NASA has selected its first crew for a lunar mission in over five decades, marking a major milestone in the agency's plans to return humans to the moon. The four astronauts set to embark on the historic Artemis II mission are Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
Reid Wiseman, 47, is a decorated naval aviator and test pilot who was first selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009. He holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 328 days in space. As commander of the Artemis II mission, Wiseman will lead the crew on a journey that includes circling the moon.
Victor Glover, 46, is a seasoned naval aviator who returned to Earth from his first spaceflight in 2021 after piloting SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and spending six months aboard the International Space Station. He is part of a diverse group of astronauts, with NASA officials emphasizing that they were chosen for their unique skill sets and backgrounds.
Christina Koch, 44, is a veteran of six spacewalks, including the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. She holds an electrical engineering degree and has spent time at the South Pole, which has prepared her for the intensity of a lunar mission.
Jeremy Hansen, 47, of the Canadian Space Agency, will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space. He was selected by NASA as part of its Artemis II crew, marking a significant step forward in international cooperation and diversity among astronauts.
The Artemis II mission is set to launch in November 2024, with the crew embarking on a 10-day journey that will send them beyond the moon for the first time. The spacecraft, atop a NASA-developed Space Launch System rocket, will return to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.
The mission marks the next step towards establishing a permanent lunar outpost and paving the way for humans to travel to Mars. With the Artemis III mission expected to launch later this decade, NASA officials are optimistic about their chances of success.
While delays have already pushed the Artemis III mission back into 2026 or later, NASA's director of Johnson Space Center Vanessa Wyche emphasized that the agency has made significant progress and is committed to achieving its lunar ambitions. The selection process for astronauts was shrouded in secrecy, but officials confirmed that they were chosen based on their unique skill sets and backgrounds.
For Koch, the news came as a surprise, with the astronaut revealing that she had been told there would be a meeting about an unrelated project. However, when asked to attend, she found herself selected for the mission. For Wiseman, Hansen, and Glover, the experience has brought both excitement and nerves. "It truly is an honor," Koch said. "It's an honor — not just to be in space, but because it's amazing to be a part of this team that's going back to the moon and on to Mars."
Reid Wiseman, 47, is a decorated naval aviator and test pilot who was first selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009. He holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 328 days in space. As commander of the Artemis II mission, Wiseman will lead the crew on a journey that includes circling the moon.
Victor Glover, 46, is a seasoned naval aviator who returned to Earth from his first spaceflight in 2021 after piloting SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and spending six months aboard the International Space Station. He is part of a diverse group of astronauts, with NASA officials emphasizing that they were chosen for their unique skill sets and backgrounds.
Christina Koch, 44, is a veteran of six spacewalks, including the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. She holds an electrical engineering degree and has spent time at the South Pole, which has prepared her for the intensity of a lunar mission.
Jeremy Hansen, 47, of the Canadian Space Agency, will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space. He was selected by NASA as part of its Artemis II crew, marking a significant step forward in international cooperation and diversity among astronauts.
The Artemis II mission is set to launch in November 2024, with the crew embarking on a 10-day journey that will send them beyond the moon for the first time. The spacecraft, atop a NASA-developed Space Launch System rocket, will return to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.
The mission marks the next step towards establishing a permanent lunar outpost and paving the way for humans to travel to Mars. With the Artemis III mission expected to launch later this decade, NASA officials are optimistic about their chances of success.
While delays have already pushed the Artemis III mission back into 2026 or later, NASA's director of Johnson Space Center Vanessa Wyche emphasized that the agency has made significant progress and is committed to achieving its lunar ambitions. The selection process for astronauts was shrouded in secrecy, but officials confirmed that they were chosen based on their unique skill sets and backgrounds.
For Koch, the news came as a surprise, with the astronaut revealing that she had been told there would be a meeting about an unrelated project. However, when asked to attend, she found herself selected for the mission. For Wiseman, Hansen, and Glover, the experience has brought both excitement and nerves. "It truly is an honor," Koch said. "It's an honor — not just to be in space, but because it's amazing to be a part of this team that's going back to the moon and on to Mars."
, we're literally gonna go back to the moon! Like, for real 
. It's crazy to think that people have been away from the lunar surface since '69, so these 4 astronauts are basically pioneers again 
. I'm hyped but also a bit worried about what they'll encounter up there...have we really thought this through? 
Still, it's all about progress and making humanity better 
. NASA's doing some amazing stuff right now 
, and I'm stoked to see the next gen take on the challenge 
. Plus, a Canadian is gonna be in deep space – nice diversity vibes 
!
, christina koch has done 6 spacewalks already & jeremy hansen is canadian 
. i'm kinda nervous that they'll actually make it to mars lol but omg the thought of seeing humans on the moon again is mind-blowing! did u hear about the artemis mission? 
I LOVE THAT CHRISTINA KOCHE WAS CHOSEN DESPITE NOT EXPECTING IT, SHE MUST BE SO PROUD!!! 
AND JEREMY HANSEN IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST CANADIAN IN DEEP SPACE, THAT'S SUCH A BIG DEAL!!! 
! I mean, who wouldn't want to go to the moon? It's like, the ultimate adventure right? I was watching some vids of the astronauts training and they looked so focused 
. But you know what would be awesome? If they had a lunar base with a sick arcade room 
. Can u imagine playing Space Invaders in zero gravity?! 
and Jeremy Hansen being the first canadian to go deep space is a major milestone for diversity 
. can't wait for Artemis II mission in nov 2024! 
. They're like a puzzle, each piece fitting together to form something bigger than the sum of its parts 
. And I think that's what makes this mission so powerful: it's not just about reaching the moon - it's about how we work together as humans to achieve greatness 
.
Jeremy Hansen is the first Canadian in deep space - cool, but how much do we know about him? 
what are they hiding? and what makes them think this mission will be so successful that it's gonna pave the way for Mars? 
I think its awesome NASA finally getting people back to the moon 
and Victor Glover just came from SpaceX so he's basically a space ninja 
astronaut 
astronaut these ppl r really gonna do this 
with his record-breaking spaceflight, Victor Glover has experience flying SpaceX's Crew Dragon, Christina Koch is a total boss with those 6 spacewalks under her belt 
Jeremy Hansen is the first Canadian to travel to deep space 