Baltimore Native Leads Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

NASA's first crewed lunar flight since 1971 is commanded by Maryland astronaut Reid Wiseman.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:19am

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A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy tones of ochre, sage, and indigo, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and structures of space exploration.The Artemis II mission will pave the way for future lunar exploration, as NASA works to establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon.College Park Today

NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight to the moon since 1971, is now underway with a Baltimore County native at the helm. Astronaut Reid Wiseman has been selected as the mission commander, leading a historic return to lunar orbit.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks a major milestone in NASA's ambitious plan to establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon. As the first crewed Artemis flight, it will pave the way for future lunar landings and long-term exploration, with the ultimate goal of sending astronauts to Mars.

The details

Artemis II will send four astronauts, including commander Reid Wiseman, on a 10-day mission around the moon. The crew will perform scientific experiments, test new technologies, and lay the groundwork for future Artemis missions that aim to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.

  • Artemis II is scheduled to launch in late 2024.
  • The mission will last approximately 10 days, with the crew spending several days in lunar orbit.

The players

Reid Wiseman

A Baltimore County native and veteran NASA astronaut, Wiseman has been selected to command the historic Artemis II mission to the moon.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and the upcoming crewed mission to the moon.

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What they’re saying

“I'm honored to lead the Artemis II crew on this mission to the moon. As a Maryland native, I'm especially proud to represent my home state and country in this historic endeavor.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander

What’s next

Following the successful completion of Artemis II, NASA plans to launch the Artemis III mission in 2025, which will attempt the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo program.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission, led by Baltimore native Reid Wiseman, marks a significant step forward in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence. This historic flight will pave the way for future Artemis missions and inspire a new generation of space explorers.