Pittsburgh Native Voices Historic Artemis II Lunar Mission

Gary Jordan, a Cranberry Township native, was the voice of NASA's Artemis II launch, narrating the mission for the public.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A highly structured abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals in earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, conceptually representing the intricate scientific forces and engineering challenges of the Artemis II lunar mission.An abstract visual interpretation of the technical and logistical complexities behind NASA's historic Artemis II lunar mission, which sent astronauts farther into space than ever before.Today in Pittsburgh

Gary Jordan, a Pittsburgh-area native, played a key role in the historic Artemis II lunar mission as the NASA commentator who narrated the launch and early flight for the public. Jordan, the manager of communications and public affairs at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, was the sole voice translating the astronaut-mission control conversations during the record-breaking 252,000-mile journey around the moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marked a major milestone in NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface, and Jordan's role as the public face of the mission helped share this historic event with the world. As a Pittsburgh native, Jordan's participation also highlights the local talent and expertise contributing to America's space exploration efforts.

The details

Jordan, a graduate of Seneca Valley High School, spent a year in special training to prepare for his role as the mission commentator. During the tense moments leading up to and during the launch, Jordan worked to maintain his focus while also taking in the awe-inspiring sight of the rocket engines firing. Once the spacecraft was in flight, Jordan became the sole voice translating the technical conversations between the astronauts and mission control for the public broadcast.

  • Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 3, 2026.
  • The mission set a new record, traveling 252,000 miles from Earth.

The players

Gary Jordan

A Pittsburgh-area native who served as the NASA commentator for the historic Artemis II lunar mission, translating the technical conversations between the astronauts and mission control for the public broadcast.

Derrol Nail

The NASA commentator who initiated the launch countdown before handing off the broadcast to Gary Jordan.

Artemis II Crew

The four astronauts, three Americans and one Canadian, who traveled farther into space than any humans before them on the Artemis II mission around the moon.

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What they’re saying

“I was taking deep breaths, you know? I was trying to get really into a focused mode.”

— Gary Jordan, NASA Communications Manager

“I kind of looked up and saw the engines firing. I saw the plume of smoke. I saw the roar of the engines, and for just a moment, I kind of pulled myself out from that level of focus ... and just (sat) in awe of what was happening. People were traveling, people were about to go to the moon, and we were a part of it, and we were making it happen.”

— Gary Jordan, NASA Communications Manager

What’s next

NASA plans to send astronauts back to the lunar surface in 2028 as part of the Artemis program, and Jordan hopes to continue playing a key role in those future missions.

The takeaway

Gary Jordan's participation in the Artemis II mission as the public voice of the historic launch and flight highlights the local talent and expertise from the Pittsburgh region contributing to America's space exploration efforts. His role in sharing this milestone event with the world underscores the critical importance of effective science communication in generating public excitement and support for the next chapter of lunar exploration.