NASA Unveils Crew for First Moon Mission in Over 50 Years, Including First Canadian Astronaut.
The US space agency has revealed its crew for the first lunar mission since the Apollo era in over five decades. NASA’s Artemis II will embark on a historic journey to the moon and beyond, marking a significant milestone towards establishing a human settlement in space.
Commander Reid Wiseman, 47, is a decorated naval aviator and test pilot who previously spent 165 days aboard the International Space Station. Wiseman was selected by NASA in 2009 and served as chief of the astronaut office before stepping down last year.
Hansel alongside Wiseman are Victor Glover, 46, a veteran of six spacewalks, and Christina Koch, 44, who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
The mission will be crewed by four astronauts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, marking a significant milestone in terms of diversity and representation.
Aboard the spacecraft are Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot who became the first Canadian astronaut to be put in charge of training for a new class of NASA astronauts.
The journey is expected to last around 10 days and will send the crew beyond the moon's orbit. The exact distance the crew will travel has not been confirmed.
The Artemis II mission is part of NASA’s ambitious plan to return humans to the moon by 2025, with a focus on paving the way for a permanent lunar outpost.
In an interview with CNN, astronaut Christina Koch expressed her gratitude and excitement about being part of the historic mission. "It truly is an honor... because it's amazing to be a part of this team that's going back to the moon and on to Mars," she said.
Koch also revealed that she and three of her colleagues found out they were selected just weeks ago, after attending a meeting under a different pretext. The news left her "speechless" but has cemented her dedication to the mission.
The US space agency has revealed its crew for the first lunar mission since the Apollo era in over five decades. NASA’s Artemis II will embark on a historic journey to the moon and beyond, marking a significant milestone towards establishing a human settlement in space.
Commander Reid Wiseman, 47, is a decorated naval aviator and test pilot who previously spent 165 days aboard the International Space Station. Wiseman was selected by NASA in 2009 and served as chief of the astronaut office before stepping down last year.
Hansel alongside Wiseman are Victor Glover, 46, a veteran of six spacewalks, and Christina Koch, 44, who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
The mission will be crewed by four astronauts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, marking a significant milestone in terms of diversity and representation.
Aboard the spacecraft are Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot who became the first Canadian astronaut to be put in charge of training for a new class of NASA astronauts.
The journey is expected to last around 10 days and will send the crew beyond the moon's orbit. The exact distance the crew will travel has not been confirmed.
The Artemis II mission is part of NASA’s ambitious plan to return humans to the moon by 2025, with a focus on paving the way for a permanent lunar outpost.
In an interview with CNN, astronaut Christina Koch expressed her gratitude and excitement about being part of the historic mission. "It truly is an honor... because it's amazing to be a part of this team that's going back to the moon and on to Mars," she said.
Koch also revealed that she and three of her colleagues found out they were selected just weeks ago, after attending a meeting under a different pretext. The news left her "speechless" but has cemented her dedication to the mission.
I think it's awesome how NASA is pushing boundaries again, it's like what Buckminster Fuller said, "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old one obsolete." 
It seems like this mission is gonna be a game-changer and show us that space travel can bring people together, just like Neil Armstrong did when he said "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". 
It's amazing to see the diversity and representation on board too! Having a Canadian astronaut on this crew is huge! 
Jeremy Hansen, you're an inspiration! 
I'm really curious about the mission's expected outcome and what it'll take to establish a permanent lunar outpost... like, will we have a base up there by 2025? 
this is such amazing news!!! I'm beyond hyped for Christina Koch's historic mission - she's literally breaking barriers and inspiring so many young women around the world! 
. The fact that NASA is planning to establish a human settlement in space by 2025 is just mind-blowing 
. I think it's great that NASA is making an effort to bring together people from different backgrounds to work towards a common goal 
. The fact that they were kept under wraps until just weeks ago must've been nerve-wracking for the astronauts, but Koch seems like a pro and totally down for the challenge 
...
a canadian astronaut is part of the crew? that's amazing for diversity and representation in space exploration. it's like we're taking steps towards a human settlement in space. i feel like christina koch is so down-to-earth and relatable, her reaction to finding out she was selected is priceless 
. 10 days on the moon sounds like an adventure of a lifetime 
I'm so hyped about this! First of all, our Canadian friends deserve major props for being part of this historic mission 
Jeremy Hansen is gonna crush it as a trainer for NASA's new astronauts 