“One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Those were the impactful words from Neil Armstrong that millions of people worldwide heard back in 1969, when humans reached the Moon for the first time in history. Since then, space exploration has only moved forward, evolving with other major missions, from the Hubble Space Telescope to the Sojourner, the first Mars rover. But now, a new chapter in the history books is about to be written.
The Artemis II mission
NASA has just announced the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century. As explained by NASA, the Artemis II mission is the second launch of the Artemis program. It aims to test critical systems in deep space conditions, such as life support and communications, ahead of future missions aiming to land on the lunar surface.
The mission will last 10 days and take the astronauts on a free-return trajectory around the Moon and back to Earth. It will be the first crewed mission to travel beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission will lay the groundwork for future lunar surface missions, helping to establish long-term capabilities for lunar science and exploration.
Meet the Artemis II crew
Four astronauts will be on board the Orion spacecraft Integrity: Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Wiseman, a seasoned NASA astronaut, will lead the mission, while Koch, known for her record-breaking stay aboard the International Space Station, brings extensive experience in space operations. Hansen, representing the Canadian Space Agency, will be the first Canadian to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
The Pilot, Victor Glover, is a California native born in Pomona, and a graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Glover has had a distinguished career as a U.S. Navy aviator and test pilot. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and previously flew aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 64.