Cockeysville Native to Lead First Crewed Moon Mission in Decades

Reid Wiseman will command NASA's historic Artemis III lunar landing.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:45pm

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A highly textured, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in a soft color palette of blues, greens, and golds, conceptually representing the complex forces and technology enabling a historic crewed mission to the lunar surface.The Artemis III mission will mark the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo era, reigniting human presence on the Moon.Cockeysville Today

Baltimore County native Reid Wiseman has been selected by NASA to command the Artemis III mission, which will mark the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo program over 50 years ago. Wiseman, a former Navy test pilot and veteran astronaut, will lead a four-person crew on the historic mission to the Moon's surface.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents a major milestone in space exploration, reigniting human presence on the lunar surface and paving the way for future long-term lunar exploration and potential resource utilization. Wiseman's selection to command this mission highlights the talent and expertise of Maryland's aerospace community.

The details

Wiseman, 48, was selected by NASA to command the Artemis III mission, which is currently targeted for launch in late 2026. He will be joined by three other veteran astronauts on the 10-day mission, which will include a multi-day stay on the lunar surface. The Artemis III mission will utilize the powerful new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to deliver the crew to the Moon.

  • NASA is targeting late 2026 for the Artemis III mission launch.
  • The last crewed mission to the lunar surface was Apollo 17 in 1972.

The players

Reid Wiseman

A 48-year-old Baltimore County native and former Navy test pilot who has been selected by NASA to command the historic Artemis III mission, the first crewed lunar landing in over 50 years.

NASA

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

Artemis Program

NASA's current human spaceflight program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish a sustainable presence on and around the Moon.

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What they’re saying

“I am honored to lead this mission and represent Maryland on this historic journey to the Moon. Our team is ready to carry on the legacy of the Apollo program and inspire the next generation of explorers.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis III Mission Commander

What’s next

In the coming months, Wiseman and his crew will undergo extensive training and preparation for the Artemis III mission, which is slated to launch in late 2026 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The takeaway

The selection of a Maryland native to command the first crewed lunar landing in over 50 years is a proud moment for the state's aerospace community and a testament to the continued American leadership in human space exploration.