Artemis 2 Crew Names Lunar Crater After Commander's Late Wife

The gesture honors the memory of the mission leader's spouse who passed away.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:00am

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An abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays depicting the Artemis 2 spacecraft orbiting the Moon, with sweeping geometric shapes and precise astronomical spirals representing the structural order of the universe.The Artemis 2 mission's proposal to name a lunar crater after the commander's late wife adds a poignant personal touch to this historic spaceflight.Houston Today

The Artemis 2 crew, currently on a historic mission to orbit the Moon, has proposed naming a lunar crater after the deceased wife of their mission commander, Reid. This emotional gesture aims to commemorate the life and legacy of the commander's spouse, who passed away before the mission launched.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents a major milestone in human space exploration, with the Artemis 2 mission being the first crewed lunar orbit since the Apollo era. Naming a lunar feature after a crew member's loved one adds a personal and poignant element to this historic endeavor, honoring the sacrifices and personal lives of those involved.

The details

During a live broadcast from the Artemis 2 spacecraft, the crew announced their plan to name a previously undesignated crater on the lunar surface after the wife of mission commander Reid, who had sadly passed away prior to the mission. The crew expressed that this was a way to memorialize the commander's spouse and recognize the support and sacrifices of astronaut families.

  • The Artemis 2 mission launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The crater naming proposal was made on April 6, 2026, during the mission's fourth day in lunar orbit.

The players

Artemis 2 Crew

The four-person crew of the Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed lunar orbit since the Apollo program.

Reid

The commander of the Artemis 2 mission, whose wife passed away prior to the launch of the historic spaceflight.

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What they’re saying

“This is a small way for us to honor the memory of our commander's beloved wife and recognize the immense sacrifices that astronaut families make in support of these missions.”

— Artemis 2 Mission Specialist

What’s next

The Artemis 2 crew will continue their mission, orbiting the Moon for several more days before returning to Earth. The proposed crater name will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union for official designation.

The takeaway

The Artemis 2 mission's gesture to name a lunar crater after the commander's late wife underscores the deeply personal nature of space exploration and the important role that astronaut families play in supporting these historic endeavors.