NASA has selected four astronauts for its first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years, marking a historic milestone for space exploration. The team will embark on the Artemis II lunar flyby mission, set to launch in November 2024.
Commander Reid Wiseman, a decorated naval aviator and test pilot, will lead the mission. Wiseman has previously flown to space on a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station in 2014 and served as chief of the astronaut office before stepping down in 2022. His extensive experience in aviation and leadership roles make him an ideal candidate for this critical mission.
Also part of the crew is Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot from Canada who has been selected by the Canadian Space Agency for astronaut training in 2009. He will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space. Hansen's expertise in combat missions and tactical operations will undoubtedly be valuable assets during this mission.
The team also includes Christina Koch, a veteran of six spacewalks and holder of the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with a total of 328 days in space. Koch is an electrical engineer who has helped develop scientific instruments for multiple NASA missions. Her experience in extreme environments and expertise in engineering will be crucial to the success of this mission.
The final member of the team is Victor Glover, a naval aviator who returned from his first spaceflight in 2021 after piloting the second crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. During his six-month stay on the International Space Station, Glover logged an impressive 3,000 flight hours and 24 combat missions.
When asked about the significance of this mission, Glover said, "It's so much more than just four names that have been announced... We need to celebrate this moment in human history. This is the next step in our journey that will get us to Mars."
The Artemis II mission marks a major milestone for NASA's return to the moon and its plans for establishing a permanent lunar outpost. The crew will embark on a 10-day journey, circling the moon before returning to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.
NASA's director of the Johnson Space Center, Vanessa Wyche, emphasized the diversity of the Artemis II crew, which includes men and women from various backgrounds. "We have requirements different than we did when we just had test pilots," she said. "They still all have the right stuff."
The selection process for this mission was shrouded in secrecy, with only a few details revealed to CNN. However, it's clear that the four astronauts have been handpicked for their exceptional skills and experience.
An interview with the four astronauts will air on CNN This Morning on Tuesday, providing viewers with an exclusive glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary individuals as they embark on this historic journey.
Commander Reid Wiseman, a decorated naval aviator and test pilot, will lead the mission. Wiseman has previously flown to space on a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station in 2014 and served as chief of the astronaut office before stepping down in 2022. His extensive experience in aviation and leadership roles make him an ideal candidate for this critical mission.
Also part of the crew is Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot from Canada who has been selected by the Canadian Space Agency for astronaut training in 2009. He will become the first Canadian to travel to deep space. Hansen's expertise in combat missions and tactical operations will undoubtedly be valuable assets during this mission.
The team also includes Christina Koch, a veteran of six spacewalks and holder of the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with a total of 328 days in space. Koch is an electrical engineer who has helped develop scientific instruments for multiple NASA missions. Her experience in extreme environments and expertise in engineering will be crucial to the success of this mission.
The final member of the team is Victor Glover, a naval aviator who returned from his first spaceflight in 2021 after piloting the second crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. During his six-month stay on the International Space Station, Glover logged an impressive 3,000 flight hours and 24 combat missions.
When asked about the significance of this mission, Glover said, "It's so much more than just four names that have been announced... We need to celebrate this moment in human history. This is the next step in our journey that will get us to Mars."
The Artemis II mission marks a major milestone for NASA's return to the moon and its plans for establishing a permanent lunar outpost. The crew will embark on a 10-day journey, circling the moon before returning to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.
NASA's director of the Johnson Space Center, Vanessa Wyche, emphasized the diversity of the Artemis II crew, which includes men and women from various backgrounds. "We have requirements different than we did when we just had test pilots," she said. "They still all have the right stuff."
The selection process for this mission was shrouded in secrecy, with only a few details revealed to CNN. However, it's clear that the four astronauts have been handpicked for their exceptional skills and experience.
An interview with the four astronauts will air on CNN This Morning on Tuesday, providing viewers with an exclusive glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary individuals as they embark on this historic journey.
NASA just announced its 1st crewed mission to the moon in OVER 50 yrs! 
The Artemis II lunar flyby mission is gonna be EPIC! 
And get this - they've selected 4 amazing astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Jeremy Hansen (first Canadian in deep space 
🆦), Christina Koch (longest single spaceflight by a woman 
), and Victor Glover (most flight hours & combat missions on the ISS 
Or that the International Space Station orbits Earth at an altitude of around 250 miles 
? 
Anywayz, we gotta celebrate this milestone in human history! 
OMG you guys I'm like so hyped for NASA's Artemis II mission 
Jeremy Hansen is gonna be the first Canadian in deep space 
Christina Koch has some major spacewalk experience under her belt 
and Victor Glover is all about that SpaceX life 
I mean we need to celebrate this moment in human history 
as Glover said it's just the beginning of our journey to Mars 
Who knows what discoveries we'll make during the Artemis II mission? 
Victor Glover is like the ultimate space rockstar now 
. This diversity is what makes me excited for this mission - it's not just about the tech or the science, but about pushing human potential to new heights. Mars, here we come!
. We've got Commander Reid Wiseman leading the team with his extensive experience in aviation and leadership roles 
, Jeremy Hansen bringing his expertise in combat missions as Canada's first deep space traveler 
, and Victor Glover contributing his experience piloting the Crew Dragon spacecraft 
I mean, who needs 50 years to get back to the moon? It's about time we got some fresh faces up there... and by that I mean, no more old dudes just because they've been flying around for decades 
. Seriously though, it's awesome to see a diverse crew with different backgrounds and expertise. Christina Koch is literally a legend 
. Can't wait to see them on CNN This Morning and get an inside scoop on their mission 
, Victor Glover holding it down as the space pilot king 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've been here before, but this time it's different." Mars next, and who knows what's next after that? 
. The leader of the team is Reid Wiseman, who's got tons of experience flying planes and being in space 
. Then there's Jeremy from Canada, Christina, who's a total rockstar for being the longest woman in space, and Victor, who's been on a space flight before 
.
That's some next-level thinking.
And that diversity among the crew? It's like NASA just gave the world a big ol' box of crayons – now we get to see some amazing representation up there on the moon 
.
shouldn't that be a publicly available info? 
it's also kinda cool that there's diversity among the crew but let's not gloss over the fact that we're still waiting for actual proof of NASA's return to the moon 
commander reid wiseman is going to lead the way and i just know he's going to do an incredible job 
, but what really gets me is how much prep and planning has gone into this mission 
️.
. Christina Koch's experience with spacewalks is gonna be 
.
. With this crew, I'm confident we'll make history again 