SoCal Native to Pilot NASA's Historic Lunar Mission

Victor Glover will become the first Black astronaut to join a lunar mission crew.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:14am

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise celestial spirals in soft, flat colors against a clean background, conveying the structural order and complex forces of space exploration.The historic Artemis II mission will send the first Black astronaut on a journey around the moon, a landmark achievement in the ongoing quest to expand diversity in space exploration.Ontario Today

NASA's Artemis II mission, the first to send humans around the moon in half a century, is slated to launch on Wednesday. The mission will be piloted by Victor Glover, a former Ontario High School wrestler and Navy test pilot from Southern California who will become the first Black astronaut to join a lunar mission crew.

Why it matters

Glover's selection for the Artemis II mission marks a historic milestone, as he will be the first Black astronaut to participate in a lunar mission. This represents an important step towards greater diversity and representation in space exploration.

The details

Victor Glover, a 45-year-old former Navy test pilot, was selected by NASA to pilot the Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. Glover, who often wears his excitement on his royal-blue jumpsuit sleeve, will be making history as the first Black astronaut to join a lunar mission crew.

  • The Artemis II mission is slated to launch on Wednesday, March 30, 2026.
  • The 10-day mission around the moon is scheduled to take place in the following days after the launch.

The players

Victor Glover

A 45-year-old former Ontario High School wrestler and Navy test pilot who has been selected by NASA to pilot the Artemis II mission, becoming the first Black astronaut to join a lunar mission crew.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis II mission, the first to send humans around the moon in half a century.

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What they’re saying

“I'm honored to be a part of this historic mission and to represent my community on this journey.”

— Victor Glover, Artemis II Pilot

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, March 30, 2026, with Victor Glover and the rest of the crew embarking on a 10-day journey around the moon.

The takeaway

Victor Glover's selection as the pilot for the Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in space exploration, as he will become the first Black astronaut to join a lunar mission crew. This achievement highlights the growing diversity and representation in the field of space travel.