Four NASA Astronauts Selected for Historic Moon Mission in Five Decades
In a groundbreaking announcement, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed its selection of four astronauts who will embark on the first crewed moon mission in over five decades. The quartet includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, who will begin their training for the historic Artemis II lunar flyby scheduled to take off in November 2024.
Commander Reid Wiseman, a decorated naval aviator and test pilot, will lead the mission aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Wiseman has completed one prior spaceflight on the International Space Station and served as chief of the astronaut office before stepping down in November 2022.
Veteran astronaut Christina Koch, a veteran of six spacewalks and record-holder for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, will be part of the mission. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Koch has spent a year at the South Pole, which she believes prepared her well for the intensity of a moon mission.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space on this historic mission. Hansen, also a fighter pilot, was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009 and is one of only four active Canadian astronauts.
Naval aviator Victor Glover, who spent nearly six months aboard the International Space Station, will be part of the crew. A native of Pomona, California, Glover completed his first mission to space as part of the SpaceX Crew-1 team in November 2020.
The Artemis II mission will build on the success of an uncrewed test mission that sent NASA's Orion capsule on a 1.4 million-mile voyage around the moon last year. The crew will embark on a journey expected to last about 10 days, circling the moon and then returning to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.
The Artemis II mission is a crucial step towards establishing a permanent lunar outpost, paving the way for future missions to Mars. NASA has been seeking to return people to the moon for over a decade, with this mission marking a significant milestone in that endeavor.
"We have requirements different than we did (when we) just had test pilots," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. "I can tell you, they still all have the right stuff."
The four astronauts were informed about their selection via a meeting with agency officials, and Koch recalled being "speechless" when she received the news.
"It truly is an honor," Koch added. "It's an honor — not to get myself in space — but because it's amazing to be part of this team that's going back to the moon and on to Mars."
An interview with the four astronauts will air on "CNN This Morning" on Tuesday, offering viewers a glimpse into their preparations for the historic mission.
In a groundbreaking announcement, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed its selection of four astronauts who will embark on the first crewed moon mission in over five decades. The quartet includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, who will begin their training for the historic Artemis II lunar flyby scheduled to take off in November 2024.
Commander Reid Wiseman, a decorated naval aviator and test pilot, will lead the mission aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Wiseman has completed one prior spaceflight on the International Space Station and served as chief of the astronaut office before stepping down in November 2022.
Veteran astronaut Christina Koch, a veteran of six spacewalks and record-holder for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, will be part of the mission. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Koch has spent a year at the South Pole, which she believes prepared her well for the intensity of a moon mission.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space on this historic mission. Hansen, also a fighter pilot, was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009 and is one of only four active Canadian astronauts.
Naval aviator Victor Glover, who spent nearly six months aboard the International Space Station, will be part of the crew. A native of Pomona, California, Glover completed his first mission to space as part of the SpaceX Crew-1 team in November 2020.
The Artemis II mission will build on the success of an uncrewed test mission that sent NASA's Orion capsule on a 1.4 million-mile voyage around the moon last year. The crew will embark on a journey expected to last about 10 days, circling the moon and then returning to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.
The Artemis II mission is a crucial step towards establishing a permanent lunar outpost, paving the way for future missions to Mars. NASA has been seeking to return people to the moon for over a decade, with this mission marking a significant milestone in that endeavor.
"We have requirements different than we did (when we) just had test pilots," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. "I can tell you, they still all have the right stuff."
The four astronauts were informed about their selection via a meeting with agency officials, and Koch recalled being "speechless" when she received the news.
"It truly is an honor," Koch added. "It's an honor — not to get myself in space — but because it's amazing to be part of this team that's going back to the moon and on to Mars."
An interview with the four astronauts will air on "CNN This Morning" on Tuesday, offering viewers a glimpse into their preparations for the historic mission.
I think NASA is crazy for sending people to the moon again 
, but like, we need to do it because science and all that 
. On one hand, I'm like super excited for these astronauts to be part of this historic mission and stuff 
. Reid Wiseman's got some sweet flying skills under his belt 
️, and Christina Koch is basically a space legend after that record-breaking year at the South Pole 
. But on the other hand, I'm worried about the risks involved and all that 
. Jeremy Hansen is gonna be the first Canadian in deep space, which is cool and all, but what if something goes wrong? 
And Victor Glover's got some awesome experience on the ISS, but does he really have the right stuff to handle this mission? 
.
I'm so stoked about these 4 NASA astronauts being selected for the historic moon mission! The lineup is literally out of this world - Commander Wiseman's leadership skills will be super important, Christina Koch's spacewalk experience will come in handy, Jeremy Hansen's Canadian spirit will bring a new perspective, and Victor Glover's SpaceX background will help with the Orion spacecraft. I love how the Artemis II mission is building towards establishing a permanent lunar outpost - it's like they're setting the stage for an epic intergalactic adventure 
. Our space agency has been working so hard towards this goal, and it's awesome to see it becoming a reality soon 
. I think it's great that we have such an experienced crew on board 
, they'll be able to handle anything that comes up during the mission 
. And who knows, maybe one day we'll even establish a permanent lunar outpost 
!
REID WISEMAN, CHRISTINA KOCH, VICTOR GLOVER, AND JEREMY HANSEN ARE ALL ABOUT TO TAKE THE SPACE LEAGUE BY STORM!!! 
I MEAN, CAN YOU EVEN HANDLE HOW COOL IT IS THAT THEY GET TO BE PART OF THIS HISTORY IN THE MAKING??? 
IT'S GOING TO BE SO AMAZING TO SEE THEM TRAINING FOR THIS MISSION AND LATER, WHEN THEY'RE WALKING ON THE MOON!!! 
Jeremy Hansen is gonna represent Canada so proud in space, it's awesome that NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are working together on this mission. Victor Glover just seems like a total down-to-earth dude, I'm sure he'll fit right in with his space crewmates 