Inland Empire Native Pilots Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

Victor Glover, an Ontario High School graduate, is one of the astronauts on NASA's first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:26am

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of space travel and lunar exploration.The Artemis II mission, with an Inland Empire native as one of the astronauts, represents a historic milestone in NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon.Ontario Today

NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years, launched today with one of the astronauts being Victor Glover, who hails from Ontario, California in the Inland Empire region. The 10-day mission will send the crew on a journey around the lunar surface before returning them safely back to Earth.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon, and having an astronaut from the Inland Empire participating in this historic mission is a point of immense local pride. Glover's involvement highlights the region's connection to the space program and inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The details

Victor Glover, a 45-year-old former U.S. Navy test pilot, is one of four astronauts aboard the Artemis II spacecraft. Glover, who graduated from Ontario High School, will be the pilot for the mission, responsible for maneuvering the spacecraft during the lunar flyby. The Artemis II mission is expected to last approximately 10 days, with the crew orbiting the Moon before returning safely to Earth.

  • Artemis II launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The mission is expected to last around 10 days.

The players

Victor Glover

A 45-year-old former U.S. Navy test pilot and Ontario High School graduate who is serving as the pilot for the Artemis II mission, NASA's first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years.

Artemis II

NASA's first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, part of the agency's Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface.

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What they’re saying

“I have always admired aviation and space travel, and this is the kind of thing that never gets old for me. Pretty incredible to think somebody with IE roots is part of something this historic.”

— John Doe, Author

What’s next

After the successful completion of the Artemis II mission, NASA will continue preparations for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts, including the first woman, on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission, with Inland Empire native Victor Glover as one of the astronauts, represents a significant milestone in NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon. Glover's involvement inspires local pride and underscores the Inland Empire's connection to the space program, potentially encouraging more young people in the region to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.