NASA Crew Names Moon Crater After Commander's Late Wife

The proposed 'Carroll Crater' can be seen from Earth at times.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:49pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise lunar craters, conveying the structural order and beauty of the moon's surface in a scientific yet emotive style.A touching tribute to a fallen loved one, the Artemis II crew's dedication of a newly discovered moon crater to Commander Reid Wiseman's late wife Carroll reflects the personal stories behind humanity's exploration of the cosmos.San Diego Today

The crew of the Artemis II mission named a newly discovered moon crater after the late wife of their commander, Reid Wiseman. In a video shared on the mission's Instagram, Canadian Space Agency Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen said the crew wanted to propose naming the crater 'Carroll' after Wiseman's wife, who passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 46.

Why it matters

The dedication of the 'Carroll Crater' on the moon represents a poignant moment of grief and remembrance for the Artemis II crew, who paused their historic mission to honor their colleague's late wife. The crater's visibility from Earth also gives the gesture added significance, as it will serve as a lasting tribute that can be observed by people around the world.

The details

The proposed 'Carroll Crater' straddles the boundary between the moon's near and far sides and can at times be seen from Earth. After this mission is complete, the crater name proposal will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, the organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.

  • On Monday, the Artemis II crew named the newly discovered moon crater.
  • The Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
  • The Orion capsule is scheduled to return to Earth on Friday, April 10.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission and a 27-year Navy veteran and NASA astronaut since 2009. He wrote in his NASA bio that he 'considers his time as an only parent as his greatest challenge and the most rewarding phase of his life.'

Carroll Wiseman

The late wife of Commander Reid Wiseman, who was a pediatric nurse practitioner and mother of two daughters, Ellie and Katherine. She passed away from cancer at the age of 46 in 2020.

Jeremy Hansen

A Canadian Space Agency Mission Specialist on the Artemis II crew.

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What they’re saying

“We lost a loved one, her name was Carroll, the spouse of Reid, the mother of Katey and Ellie...(The crater is) a bright spot on the moon and we would like to call it Carroll.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency Mission Specialist

What’s next

After this mission is complete, the crater name proposal will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, the organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.

The takeaway

The dedication of the 'Carroll Crater' on the moon represents a poignant moment of grief and remembrance for the Artemis II crew, honoring their colleague's late wife in a way that will be visible from Earth and serve as a lasting tribute to her memory.