who is on the artemis 2 crew
Artemis II Crew Overview Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center, marking NASA's first crewed mission around the Moon since Apollo, with a 10-day flight testing the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The crew consists of four highly experienced astronauts: three from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), selected in 2023 for their diverse skills in piloting, engineering, and spaceflight. This team represents historic firsts, including the first woman, first person of color, and first Canadian on a lunar mission.
Crew Members and Roles
Here's the primary crew lineup, all on their second spaceflight except Hansen:
| Position | Astronaut | Agency | Flight Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander | Reid Wiseman | NASA | Second spaceflight; Navy test pilot, ISS Expedition 40 |
| Pilot | Victor Glover | NASA | Second spaceflight; first person of color on lunar mission |
| Mission Specialist 1 | Christina Koch | NASA | Second spaceflight; first woman on lunar mission, record ISS stay |
| Mission Specialist 2 | Jeremy Hansen | CSA | First spaceflight; first Canadian on lunar mission |
Mission Highlights and Backstories
- Reid Wiseman (Commander): A U.S. Navy veteran who flew on ISS Expedition 40/41, Wiseman leads the team despite an ironic fear of heights on solid ground; he's piloted high-stakes missions before.
- Victor Glover (Pilot): Naval aviator and former ISS crew member, Glover brings precision flying skills and embodies diversity milestones.
- Christina Koch (Mission Specialist): Known for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days on ISS), Koch will handle experiments and systems tests.
- Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist): CSA's seasoned astronaut, Hansen trained NASA recruits and eagerly awaits viewing Earth from lunar distance.
The crew arrived at Kennedy Space Center days before launch after delays for rocket repairs, entering quarantine on March 18; they'll push beyond Apollo's distance record of 248,655 miles.
Why This Crew Matters
Announced on April 3, 2023 (ironically just before today's date in 2026), these astronauts were chosen for their complementary expertise, paving the way for Artemis III's lunar landing. Wiseman's leadership, Glover's piloting, Koch's endurance, and Hansen's international collaboration highlight NASA's global partnerships—Canada contributes via CSA agreements. Post-launch coverage notes their personal sacrifices as parents and partners, carrying symbolic items to the Moon.
TL;DR: Artemis II's crew—Wiseman (Commander), Glover (Pilot), Koch and Hansen (Specialists)—launched April 1, 2026, for a groundbreaking lunar flyby.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.