Montanans Play Key Roles in Artemis II Moon Mission

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Artemis II mission, which launched on Wednesday, features a four-person crew including Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Two Montanan engineers, Jeremiah Hall and Daniel Baca, are working on the mission for NASA, while astronaut Christina Koch, who was living in Livingston, Montana when selected for the Astronaut Corps, is also representing Big Sky Country on the historic flight.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks the first time humans have orbited the Moon since the Apollo program ended in the 1970s. The involvement of Montanans in this landmark mission highlights the state's contributions to the advancement of space exploration and the STEM fields.

The details

Jeremiah Hall, a graduate of Whitefish High School and Montana State University, and Daniel Baca, a Flathead Valley High School alum who attended the University of Colorado Boulder, are both working on the Artemis II mission as engineers for NASA. Astronaut Christina Koch, who maintained connections to Montana even while serving on the International Space Station, is also part of the Artemis II crew, representing the state on the historic flight.

• The Artemis II mission launched on Wednesday, April 5, 2026.
• The mission is expected to be completed by April 10, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is expected to be completed by April 10, 2026, marking a historic return to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years.