RPI Grad to Lead NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission

The upcoming crewed lunar flight will be the first since the Apollo program.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:44pm

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A highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals in earthy tones, conceptually representing the complex forces and systems involved in the upcoming Artemis II lunar mission.The Artemis II mission will be a crucial test of the systems and technologies needed to return humans to the lunar surface.Cape Canaveral Today

NASA has selected an Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) graduate to command the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight around the Moon since the Apollo program. The mission, scheduled for 2024, will send four astronauts on a journey to orbit the lunar surface as a crucial step towards future Artemis missions that aim to land astronauts on the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon, with the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable lunar presence and using it as a stepping stone for future Mars exploration. The Artemis II mission will be a critical milestone, testing key systems and paving the way for the first Artemis lunar landing as early as 2025.

The details

The commander of the Artemis II mission is Reid Wiseman, a 47-year-old former U.S. Navy test pilot who graduated from RPI in 2001 with a degree in aerospace engineering. Wiseman was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2009 and has previously flown to the International Space Station. The Artemis II crew will also include three other veteran astronauts who will serve as pilot, mission specialist, and flight engineer.

  • The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in 2024.
  • The last crewed mission to orbit the Moon was the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

The players

Reid Wiseman

A 47-year-old former U.S. Navy test pilot and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) graduate who has been selected to command the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight around the Moon since the Apollo program.

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the federal agency responsible for the country's civil space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Artemis Program

NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the Moon, with the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable lunar presence and using it as a stepping stone for future Mars exploration.

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What they’re saying

“The Artemis II mission will be a critical milestone, testing key systems and paving the way for the first Artemis lunar landing as early as 2025.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander

What’s next

The Artemis II crew will undergo extensive training in the coming years to prepare for the complex mission, which will involve a multi-day journey to the Moon, several orbits around the lunar surface, and a critical return to Earth.

The takeaway

The selection of an RPI graduate to lead the historic Artemis II mission highlights the important role that private and public institutions play in shaping the future of space exploration. This mission represents a significant step forward in NASA's ambitious plans to return humans to the Moon and paves the way for even more ambitious Artemis missions in the years to come.