NASA will launch the Artemis II mission on April 1, the first crewed trip to the Moon in more than 50 years. Four astronauts will carry out a 10-day mission, orbiting the Moon, in an operation that marks the return of the North American lunar space program since the end of the Apollo missions in the 1970s.
On board the Artemis rocket Space Launch System (SLS)responsible for placing the capsule Orion in orbit, a crew of four astronauts will follow. But who are these pioneers of the 21st century?
Soon, the crew made up of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch e Jeremy Hansen will carry out a journey of around 10 days, orbiting the Moon before returning to Earthwith the planned landing in the Pacific Ocean.
The mission Artemis II will be the first of “Artemis Program” transporting astronauts since the end of the “Apollo Program”which took the first humans to the Moon between 1969 and 1972. Unlike what happened in these historic missions, this stage does not foresee a lunar landing.
Reid Wiseman – Commander
Commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission, Reid Wiseman is a US Navy veteran with 27 years of servicepilot and engineer from Baltimore, Maryland.
Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2009, he carried out his first space mission in Expedition 41 has between May and November 2014, passing 165 days in spacewhere he completed more than 300 science experiments and almost 13 hours of spacewalks.
Among his decorations are the Legion of Merita Defense Superior Service Medal and several U.S. Navy Combat and Achievement Medals.
Victor J. Glover – Piloto
Pilot of NASA’s Artemis II mission, Victor J. Glover is US Navy veteranwith experience as a test pilot on F/A‑18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA‑18G Growler aircraft.
NASA astronaut since 2013, he carried out his first space mission as a NASA pilot. Crew-1 and SpaceXremaining 168 dias on the International Space Station (ISS) and completed four spacewalks.
Born in Pomona, in the state of California, Victor J. Glover accumulates more than 3,500 flight hours in more than 40 aircraft typesincluding 24 combat missionsand received several decorations, such as the Defense Superior Service Medal ea NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
Christina Koch – Emission specialist
Christina Koch has been a NASA engineer and astronaut since 2013. 328 consecutive days in space during as Expeditions 59, 60 and 61 on the International Space Station (ISS) and participated in first all-female spacewalks.
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Christina Koch grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and holds a degree in electrical engineering and physics from . Before becoming an astronaut, he worked on developing instruments for space missions and in field engineering in remote stations in Antarctica, Greenland, Alaska and American Samoa.
During his space career, Koch performed six spacewalks and participated in hundreds of scientific and technological experimentsincluding robotics, crystal growth for pharmaceutical research e 3D biological printing in microgravity.
Jeremy Hansen – Emission specialist
Jeremy Hansen, astronaut then will be the first Canadian to travel to the Moon. He started in aviation at the age of 12 in Air Cadets and became a glider pilot and then a private pilot while still in his teens. He graduated in space sciences at from Canada and earned a master’s degree in physics.
Served as CF-18 fighter pilot and combat operations officeraccumulating experience in exercises in the Arctic and operations of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Selected as an astronaut in 2009, Jeremy Hansen completed candidate training in 2011 and participated in specialized training programs such as CAVES at and the living in extreme environments simulating space missions. In 2017 he led a team of NASA astronauts, and in 2023 he was assigned to the Artemis II mission to the Moon.
What personal items will you take on the mission?
According to NASA allows each astronaut on the Artemis II mission to bring some personal items.
The commander Reid Wiseman You will take a notebook to write down thoughts during the trip. Christina Koch You will take with you messages written by family and friends.
Jeremy Hansen will take four moon-shaped pendants for his wife and three children, with the phrase “Moon and back” (“To the Moon and Back” in Portuguese)as well as typical Canadian products.
Victor Glover chose to bring a Bible, rings, family memorabilia and a collection of inspirational quotes from Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart.
