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Livingston Today
By the People, for the People
Montana Engineers and Astronaut Contribute to Historic Artemis II Moon Mission
The Artemis II mission features several connections to the Big Sky State.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:34am
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The Artemis II mission's intricate web of scientific and engineering forces, represented in a bold, abstract visual that captures the mission's complexity and ambition.Livingston TodayThe Artemis II mission, which launched on Wednesday, is the first crewed lunar orbit mission in over 50 years. The four-person crew includes several Montanans who are playing key roles in the historic mission, including engineers Jeremiah Hall and Daniel Baca, as well as astronaut Christina Koch, who was living in Livingston, Montana when she was selected for the Astronaut Corps.
Why it matters
The Artemis II mission is a major milestone in the renewed push for human exploration of the Moon, and the involvement of Montanans highlights the state's contributions to the space program. The mission also generates excitement and pride for Montanans, who can celebrate the achievements of their fellow state residents.
The details
Engineers Jeremiah Hall and Daniel Baca, both native Montanans, are working on the Artemis II mission for NASA. Hall graduated from Whitefish High School and studied mechanical engineering at Montana State University before earning a master's in aerospace engineering. Baca, who attended Flathead Valley High School, has degrees in mathematics, computer science, astrophysics, and aerospace engineering. Astronaut Christina Koch, who was living in Livingston, Montana when selected for the Astronaut Corps, is also part of the Artemis II crew.
- The Artemis II mission launched on Wednesday, April 4, 2026.
- The mission is expected to wrap up by April 10, 2026.
The players
Jeremiah Hall
A Montana native who graduated from Whitefish High School and studied mechanical engineering at Montana State University before earning a master's in aerospace engineering. He is working on the Artemis II mission for NASA.
Daniel Baca
A Montana native who attended Flathead Valley High School and has degrees in mathematics, computer science, astrophysics, and aerospace engineering. He is working on the Artemis II mission for NASA.
Christina Koch
An astronaut on the Artemis II mission who was living in Livingston, Montana when she was selected for the Astronaut Corps.
What they’re saying
“It's not every day you meet a Montanan who's going to space!”
— Steve Daines, U.S. Senator
What’s next
The Artemis II mission is expected to conclude by April 10, 2026, marking a historic milestone in human lunar exploration.
The takeaway
The involvement of Montanans in the Artemis II mission, from engineers to an astronaut, highlights the state's contributions to the space program and generates excitement and pride for residents of the Big Sky State.
