NASA's Artemis Crew Set for Historic Moon Mission

Diverse team of four astronauts to embark on first lunar journey in over 50 years.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:50pm

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An abstract painting in soft, earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, representing the complex forces and concepts of the Artemis moon mission.The Artemis mission's diverse crew will embark on a historic journey to the moon, paving the way for future lunar exploration and a more inclusive future in space.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA's Artemis program is set to send a diverse crew of four astronauts on a historic mission to the moon, the first such journey since the Apollo era more than half a century ago. The crew includes a woman, a person of color, and the first Canadian astronaut to travel to the moon, marking a significant shift from the all-white, all-male astronaut corps of the past.

Why it matters

This mission represents a major milestone in space exploration, showcasing NASA's commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its astronaut corps. The Artemis program aims to pave the way for future moon landings and establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface, building on the legacy of the Apollo program.

The details

The Artemis crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, a retired Navy captain from Baltimore; Pilot Victor Glover, a Navy captain and former combat pilot from Pomona, California; Mission Specialist Christina Koch, an electrical engineer from Jacksonville, North Carolina, who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman; and Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot and physicist making his space debut as Canada's first emissary to the moon. While they won't land on the moon this time, the out-and-back journey will take them thousands of miles deeper into space than even the Apollo astronauts, promising unprecedented views of the lunar far side.

  • The Artemis mission is scheduled to launch in 2026.
  • The crew will spend nearly 10 days in space, the longest duration for a lunar mission since the Apollo era.

The players

Reid Wiseman

A retired Navy captain from Baltimore who is leading the Artemis mission as the commander. He was serving as NASA's chief astronaut when asked to lead this historic lunar trip.

Victor Glover

A Navy captain and former combat pilot from Pomona, California, who is the pilot for the Artemis mission. As one of NASA's few Black astronauts, he sees his presence on the mission as 'a force for good.'

Christina Koch

An electrical engineer from Jacksonville, North Carolina, who is a mission specialist on the Artemis crew. She holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent nearly a year on the International Space Station.

Jeremy Hansen

A fighter pilot and physicist from Canada, making his space debut as the first Canadian astronaut to travel to the moon as part of the Artemis mission.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and this historic moon mission.

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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, Artemis Mission Commander

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

— Victor Glover, Artemis Mission Pilot

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

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Artemis Mission Specialist

What’s next

The Artemis crew's out-and-back journey to the moon will pave the way for future moon landings, with a practice docking mission in orbit around Earth scheduled for 2027 and the first crewed lunar landing targeted for 2028.

The takeaway

The diverse Artemis crew represents a significant shift in NASA's astronaut corps, moving away from the all-white, all-male teams of the past. This mission marks an important step towards greater inclusivity and representation in space exploration, inspiring a new generation of explorers and scientists.