NASA's Artemis Crew Prepares for Historic Moon Mission

The diverse team of four astronauts will embark on the first crewed lunar voyage in over 50 years.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:51pm

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NASA's Artemis program is set to launch its first crewed mission to the moon, marking the first time astronauts have traveled to the lunar surface since the Apollo era. The four-person crew includes a woman, a person of color, and the first Canadian astronaut to journey to the moon. None of the Artemis astronauts were alive during the original Apollo missions, but they are poised to make history with an out-and-back voyage that will take them thousands of miles deeper into space than even the Apollo astronauts ventured.

Why it matters

The Artemis mission represents a significant milestone in the diversification of the astronaut corps, with a crew that reflects the changing demographics of the space program. Their journey will pave the way for future moon landings and help advance our understanding of the lunar environment, setting the stage for a new era of lunar exploration.

The details

The Artemis crew is led by Commander Reid Wiseman, a retired Navy captain from Baltimore who was serving as NASA's chief astronaut when selected for the mission. The pilot is Victor Glover, a Navy captain and former combat pilot from California who will be one of the few Black astronauts to travel to the moon. Mission specialist Christina Koch, an electrical engineer from North Carolina, holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. Rounding out the crew is Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot and physicist making his space debut.

  • The Artemis mission is scheduled to launch in 2026.
  • The crew will spend nearly 10 days on their out-and-back journey to the moon.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The 50-year-old retired Navy captain from Baltimore is leading the Artemis mission. He was serving as NASA's chief astronaut when selected for the lunar voyage, which gave him pause due to the recent death of his wife from cancer and the impact on his two teenage daughters.

Victor Glover

The 49-year-old Navy captain and former combat pilot from California is one of the few Black astronauts to be selected for a mission to the moon. He sees his presence on the Artemis crew as 'a force for good' and a way to offer hope to others.

Christina Koch

The 47-year-old electrical engineer from North Carolina holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent nearly a year on the International Space Station. She will be one of the first women to travel to the moon.

Jeremy Hansen

The 50-year-old Canadian fighter pilot and physicist is making his space debut as the first Canadian astronaut to journey to the moon. He grew up on a farm in Ontario before pursuing a career in aviation.

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What they’re saying

“We talked about it and I said, 'Look, of all the people on planet Earth right now, there are four people that are in a position to go fly around the moon.' I cannot say no to that opportunity.”

— Reid Wiseman, Commander

“I listen to those for perspective. It captures what we did well, what we did poorly.”

— Victor Glover, Pilot

“Maybe I'm naive, but I don't feel a lot of personal pressure.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut

What’s next

The Artemis crew's out-and-back journey to the moon will serve as a precursor to future lunar landing missions, with a practice docking mission in orbit around Earth planned for 2027 and the first crewed moon landing since the Apollo era targeted for 2028.

The takeaway

The diverse Artemis crew represents a significant step forward in the democratization of space exploration, paving the way for a new generation of astronauts to carry on the legacy of lunar exploration. Their mission will inspire people around the world and help advance our understanding of the moon, setting the stage for a new era of human presence on the lunar surface.