Photo: Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; Reid Wiseman, commander; and Christina Hammock Koch, mission specialist — Credits: NASA/Kim Shiflett
As NASA’s Artemis program advances toward its next historic milestone, Artemis II stands ready to become the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. This groundbreaking journey will send four astronauts beyond low Earth orbit, looping around the Moon before returning home — a critical step toward sustained human exploration of deep space.
More than a test flight, Artemis II represents a bold reaffirmation of humanity’s commitment to explore. The mission will validate NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft with humans onboard, ensuring the systems are ready for future lunar landings and, ultimately, missions to Mars.
At the heart of this endeavor is a diverse and highly accomplished crew — explorers whose experience, discipline, and vision embody the spirit of the Artemis Generation.
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Commander Reid Wiseman — Leading the Mission Forward
Reid Wiseman serves as the commander of Artemis II, responsible for mission execution and crew safety. A veteran NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy test pilot, Wiseman previously lived and worked aboard the International Space Station, where he conducted scientific research and spacewalks. His leadership blends technical expertise with operational excellence — essential qualities for guiding humanity back into lunar space.
Pilot Victor Glover — Precision in Motion
As pilot, Victor Glover plays a central role in navigating and operating the Orion spacecraft. Selected as an astronaut in 2013, Glover has already made history as a pilot on the first operational commercial crew mission to the International Space Station. His calm precision, deep aerospace knowledge, and extensive flight experience make him a cornerstone of Artemis II’s success.
Mission Specialist Christina Koch — Breaking Barriers Beyond Earth
Christina Koch brings scientific rigor and resilience to the Artemis II crew. Known for setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, Koch has conducted numerous spacewalks and helped advance research on human adaptation to space. On Artemis II, she will support spacecraft systems testing and help gather crucial data on how the human body performs beyond Earth orbit.
Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen — A Symbol of Global Exploration
Representing the Canadian Space Agency, Jeremy Hansen becomes the first Canadian astronaut to travel to the Moon’s vicinity. A skilled fighter pilot and engineer, Hansen’s role highlights the international collaboration that defines the Artemis program. His participation reinforces the idea that space exploration is a shared human endeavor, strengthened by global partnerships.
Why Artemis II Matters
Artemis II is a bridge between past achievements and future ambitions. The mission will test life-support systems, deep-space communications, navigation, and crew performance in the lunar environment — all vital for upcoming lunar landings and long-duration missions to Mars. Every orbit around the Moon will generate data, confidence, and momentum for humanity’s next steps into the cosmos.
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