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Artemis II: Pioneers of Lunar Exploration Paving the Way for a Lunar Future
NASA has named the crew for its upcoming Artemis II Moon mission, which will be crucial in paving the way for future lunar missions. The mission will involve sending four astronauts to the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, where they will conduct a full check of the spacecraft’s life support systems.
The crew for Artemis II includes:
- Mission’s Commander – Reid Wiseman
- Pilot – Victor Glover
- Mission Specialist – Jeremy Hansen
- Mission Specialist – Christina Hammock Koch.
Jeremy Hansen is a Canadian astronaut who has been with the Canadian Space Agency since 2009, while Victor Glover is a NASA astronaut who made history as the first Black astronaut to serve on a space station crew.
Reid Wiseman is another NASA astronaut who has already been to space and is a former Navy pilot, and Christina Hammock Koch is also a NASA astronaut who made history as not only the first woman to first women to participate in an all-female spacewalk but will also be the first woman to orbit the moon.
They're going to the Moon! Introducing the #Artemis II astronauts:
Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid), Commander
Victor Glover (@AstroVicGlover), Pilot
Christina Koch (@Astro_Christina), Mission specialist
Jeremy Hanson (@Astro_Jeremy), Mission specialisthttps://t.co/Hy1110MOEi pic.twitter.com/SeETL5iURu— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) April 3, 2023
The diversity of the Artemis II crew is reflective of NASA’s efforts to create a more inclusive and representative astronaut corps. The agency has made a concerted effort to increase diversity and inclusion in its programs, recognizing that a range of perspectives and experiences can contribute to its success.
The objective of Artemis II is to test and verify the life support systems of the Orion spacecraft while in deep space, as well as to conduct a variety of scientific experiments.
This mission is a precursor to the longer, more complex Artemis III mission, which will include two astronauts landing near the south pole of the Moon. The data and experience gained from Artemis II will help NASA officials to better prepare for Artemis III and future missions to the Moon and beyond.
As NASA prepares for its upcoming Artemis missions, the agency is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive future in space exploration. The Artemis II crew represents a step forward in this effort, and their mission will be a crucial milestone in NASA’s journey to return humans to the moon.
