Three Americans and a Canadian will eventually embark on a trip to lunar orbit
The US space agency announced on Monday the names of the four astronauts that will crew the Artemis II mission. While the ten-day trip around the moon and back is tentatively scheduled for late 2024, the announcement came shortly after the White House unveiled its proposed NASA budget.
The crew will consist of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch – all three from NASA – and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, also a mission specialist.
“Among the crew are the first woman, first person of color, and first Canadian on a lunar mission, and all four astronauts will represent the best of humanity as they explore for the benefit of all,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Francois-Philippe Champagne, the minister responsible for the CSA, called Hansen’s participation “not only a defining chapter of our history in space, but also a testament to the friendship and close partnership between our two nations.”
Read more