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After more than half a century since Apollo 17, four extraordinary humans are preparing to fly around the Moon aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission. This historic journey will mark the first crewed lunar flyby of the 21st century — and the first to include a woman, a person of colour, and a non‑American astronaut.
Let’s meet the crew and uncover 15 fascinating facts about each of them — from their family roots to their record‑breaking achievements.
👨✈️ Reid Wiseman — Commander
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
His father was a doctor; his mother a teacher.
Married with two daughters who inspire his leadership.
Served as a U.S. Navy test pilot flying F‑14 Tomcats and F/A‑18 Super Hornets.
Joined NASA in 2009.
Spent 165 days aboard the ISS (Expedition 40/41).
Known for breathtaking Earth‑from‑space photography.
Served as NASA’s Chief Astronaut (2020–2022).
Calm, humorous, and deeply respected by peers.
Calls Artemis II a “Herculean mission.”
Will test Orion’s manual and automated systems.
Will help document the Moon’s far side.
His daughters helped him pack personal items for the flight.
Enjoys mentoring young pilots.
Says commanding Artemis II is “the honour of a lifetime.”
👨🚀 Victor Glover — Pilot
Born in Pomona, California, USA.
Married to Dionna Glover; father of four daughters.
First person of colour to travel to the Moon.
U.S. Navy Commander and test pilot.
Logged 3,000+ flight hours in 40 aircraft.
First Black astronaut to live long‑term on the ISS (Crew‑1).
Guided by strong Christian faith.
Enjoys Brazilian jiu‑jitsu and boxing.
Holds degrees in engineering and military strategy.
Will manually control Orion during deep‑space testing.
Oversees life‑support and safety systems.
Will witness a solar eclipse from lunar distance.
Advocates for STEM education.
Known for discipline and physical fitness.
Says, “Space belongs to all of us.”
👩🚀 Christina Koch — Mission Specialist
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan; raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Married to Robert Koch, a firefighter.
First woman to travel to the Moon.
Holds the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman (328 days).
Completed the first all‑female spacewalk with Jessica Meir.
Degrees in electrical engineering and physics.
Worked in Antarctica for a year — mastering isolation.
Loves surfing, hiking, and photography.
Will lead lunar geology observations.
Will experience 40 minutes of radio silence behind the Moon.
Calm, resilient, and endlessly curious.
Has worked in remote scientific stations worldwide.
Advocates for girls in STEM.
Her husband calls her “unstoppable.”
Dreams of inspiring future explorers.
🇨🇦 Jeremy Hansen — Mission Specialist (Canada)
Born in London, Ontario; raised on a farm in Ailsa Craig.
Married to Catherine Hansen; father of three children.
First non‑American to travel to the Moon.
Former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot.
Flew CF‑18 Hornets before joining the Canadian Space Agency.
Selected as astronaut in 2009.
Known for humility and calm leadership.
Deeply involved in astronaut training programs.
Will document lunar features during the flyby.
Rotates through observation windows during the 7‑hour lunar viewing.
Experiences 40 minutes of blackout behind the Moon.
Loves camping and hiking.
Advocates for science education.
Represents Canada with pride.
Calls Artemis II “a national honour.”
The Artemis II mission isn’t just about returning to the Moon — it’s about humanity’s shared dream of exploration. These four astronauts represent courage, diversity, and unity across nations.
As they prepare to journey farther than any human since 1972, their stories remind us that the sky is not the limit — it’s just the beginning.
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org
