4 Astronauts Embark on Historic Artemis II Moon Mission

The diverse crew includes a single parent, a veteran spacewalker, and the first Canadian to fly beyond low-Earth orbit.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:27am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The four Artemis II astronauts who launched on a trip around the moon this week stand out even in a NASA astronaut corps full of high achievers. The crew includes three space station veterans and a Canadian rookie - a commander who is a single parent, an experienced Navy pilot, the first woman to fly to the moon, and the first Canadian to venture beyond low-Earth orbit.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission sets the stage for planned moon landings in 2028 and the construction of a lunar base near the moon's south pole, marking a major milestone in humanity's return to deep space exploration. The diverse crew composition also reflects NASA's efforts to make space more accessible and representative.

The details

The Artemis II astronauts - commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian mission specialist Jeremy Hansen - have spent the past three years training for the relatively short nine-day mission to loop around the moon. They bring a wealth of experience, including multiple space station flights, combat deployments, and spacewalks.

  • The Artemis II crew launched in April 2023.
  • The mission is expected to last nine days.

The players

Reid Wiseman

Artemis II commander, a naval aviator and former International Space Station crew member who is raising two daughters as a single parent after his wife's passing.

Victor Glover

Artemis II pilot, a U.S. Navy captain and former fighter pilot who has logged over 3,500 hours in the air and served as pilot on the first operational SpaceX Crew Dragon flight to the ISS.

Christina Koch

Artemis II mission specialist, a veteran astronaut who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and has conducted multiple spacewalks, including the first all-female spacewalks.

Jeremy Hansen

Artemis II Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian astronaut to fly beyond low-Earth orbit, with experience as a fighter pilot and Arctic operations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's extraordinary as a human being to go to the far side of the moon and look back and see the Earth from the perspective of the moon. Whatever that looks like, and whatever that feels like, that is an extraordinary opportunity that I'm very grateful for.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian astronaut

“How do we feel as the people that can call the moon (a) destination, not just something we're looking at? It is our strong hope that this mission is the start of an era where everyone, every person on Earth, can look at the moon and think of it as also a destination.”

— Christina Koch, Astronaut

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is a test flight, and NASA is prepared for the possibility of losing the crew. However, the agency is optimistic about the mission's success and is already planning for future Artemis moon landings in 2028 and the construction of a lunar base.

The takeaway

The diverse Artemis II crew represents a significant milestone in space exploration, reflecting NASA's efforts to make deep space missions more accessible and representative. Their journey around the moon will pave the way for future lunar landings and the establishment of a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.