The four astronauts
NASA and the Canadian Space Agency announced the four astronauts on Monday who will go on the moon mission. This will be the first crew under Artemis II. This mission will help in establishing a path for a long presence on the moon for science and exploration through Artemis.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, “NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Hammock Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, each has their own story, but, together, they represent our creed: E pluribus unum – out of many, one. Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers – the Artemis Generation.”
Approximately 10-day Artemis II flight test will launch on the agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket, prove the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems, and validate the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space.
The Honorable François-Philippe Champagne said, “We are going back to the Moon and Canada is at the center of this exciting journey. Thanks to our longstanding collaboration with NASA, Canadian astronaut will fly on this historic mission. On behalf of all Canadians, I want to congratulate Jeremy for being at the forefront of one of the most ambitious human endeavors ever undertaken. Canada’s participation in the Artemis program is not only a defining chapter of our history in space, but also a testament to the friendship and close partnership between our two nations.”
President Joe Biden congratulated the team. See the video
The @NASA Artemis II crewed mission around the Moon will inspire the next generation of explorers, and show every child – in America, in Canada, and across the world – that if they can dream it, they can be it. pic.twitter.com/X8q3GLTBiQ
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 3, 2023
Artemis II Astronauts
Commander Reid Wiseman
This will be Wiseman’s second trip into space. Wiseman has logged more than 165 days in space, including almost 13 hours as lead spacewalker during two trips.
He also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from December 2020 until November 2022.
Pilot Victor Glover
This mission will be Glover’s second spaceflight, serving as pilot on NASA’s Space X Crew-1 which landed in May 2021, after 168 days. He also participated in four spacewalks.
Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch
Koch will be making her second flight into space on the Artemis II mission, She served as a flight engineer aboard the space station for expeditions 59, 60, and 61. She set a record for the longest single spaceflight.
Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen
Hansen is making his first flight into space. He was selected by CSA in May 2009. He also served as Capcom in NASA’s Mission Control Center in 2017.
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Artemis mission
NASA will use technological advancement to explore more lunar surfaces. The astronauts will establish the first permanent presence on the Moon. The collaboration will be done with commercial and international partners. It will lead to establishing the first long-term presence on the Moon.