NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) have announced four astronauts will fly around the Moon with Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission to establish a long-term presence on the Moon for science and research through Artemis. The agencies announced the crew members Monday during the landing at Ellington Field, near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“The Artemis II crew represents thousands of people who have worked tirelessly to get us to the stars. This is their crew, this is our crew, humanity’s crew,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen each has their own story, but together they represent our faith: E pluribus unum, one of many. Together, we usher in a new era of research for the next generation of stargazer and dreamer Artemis.”

The following tasks were assigned to the crew: Commander Reid Weissman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch and Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen. They will work as a team to complete an ambitious series of flight test demonstrations.

Artemis II’s nearly 10-day test flight will begin with the agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket, testing the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems and testing the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space.

“We are returning to the Moon and Canada is at the center of this exciting journey,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister for the Canadian Space Agency. “Thanks to our long-standing collaboration with NASA, a Canadian astronaut will fly on this historic mission. On behalf of all Canadians, I want to congratulate Jeremy for being at the forefront of one of the most ambitious human endeavors ever undertaken. Canada’s participation in the Artemis program is only It is not only a defining chapter in our space history, but also a testament to the friendship and close partnership between our two nations.”

The flight, scheduled to follow the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission completed in December, will set the stage for the Artemis program’s first woman and first black man on the Moon, paving the way for future long-duration manned reconnaissance missions. . To the Moon and finally to Mars. This is the agency’s approach to Mars Moon exploration.

“For the first time in over 50 years, these individuals – the crew of Artemis II – will be the first humans to fly to the foot of the Moon. The crew includes the first woman, first black and first Canadian to launch a mission to the Moon, and all four astronauts “This mission paves the way for the expansion of human deep space exploration and opens up new opportunities for scientific exploration, commercial, industrial and academic partnerships and the Artemis generation.”

Meet the Artemis II astronauts

This will be Weizman’s second space flight, who previously served as a flight engineer on the International Station’s Expedition 41 from May to November 2014. Weisman spent more than 165 days in space, including nearly 13 hours as a pioneer spacewalk during two trips beyond the orbital complex. Prior to his appointment, Wiseman served as chief of the astronaut office from December 2020 to November 2022.

The mission will be Glover’s second spaceflight, who previously piloted NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1, which landed on May 2, 2021, after spending 168 days in space. He participated in scientific research, technology demonstrations, and participated in four spacewalks as a flight engineer on the space station for Expedition 64.

Koch will also perform his second space flight as part of the Artemis II mission. He served as a flight engineer at the space station on the 59th, 60th and 61st Expeditions. Koch broke the record for longest spaceflight by a woman with a total of 328 days in space and participated in the first all-female spacewalks.

Representing Canada, Hansen makes his first space flight. A colonel and former fighter pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces, Hansen holds a Bachelor of Science in Space Science from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, and a Master of Science in Physics with a research paper from the same institution in 2000. Focus on the wide field of view of satellite tracking. He was one of two recruits selected by the CSA during the third Canadian Astronaut Recruitment Campaign in May 2009 and served as Capcom at NASA’s Johnson Flight Control Center, becoming the first Canadian tasked to command a class of NASA astronauts in 2017. Managing the training of US and Canadian astronaut candidates.

“I couldn’t be more proud that this intrepid quad will take our voyages to the moon and beyond,” said Norm Knight, Director of Flight Operations, NASA Johnson. “They represent exactly what an astronaut squad should be: a mix of highly skilled and experienced individuals with the skills and determination to tackle any challenge as a team. The Artemis II mission will be challenging and push our limits as we prepare to send future astronauts to the Moon. With Reed, Victor, Cristina and Jeremy at the helm, I have no doubt that we are ready to take on any challenge that comes our way.”

With the Artemis missions, NASA will use innovative technology to explore the lunar surface more than ever before. We will work with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. Then we’ll use what we’ve learned on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.