
April 1 (Reuters) - All three NASA astronauts on the Artemis II lunar mission are veterans of Earth-orbit science expeditions to the International Space Station, while the lone Canadian joining them on a voyage around the moon and back is a spaceflight rookie.
Here are some highlights from the careers of mission commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch, all U.S. astronauts, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, also a mission specialist.
MISSION COMMANDER REID WISEMAN
Wiseman, 50, logged 165 days aboard the International Space Station during a 2014 mission, flying to the orbiting platform aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. A former U.S. Navy test pilot, he later served as NASA's chief astronaut before being selected to command Artemis II.
PILOT VICTOR GLOVER
Glover, 49, spent 168 days in orbit beginning in 2020 as pilot of NASA's Crew-1 flight, the first full-fledged ISS mission using SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule to carry astronauts to the space station. Before joining NASA, he flew more than 40 aircraft during a U.S. Navy career that included combat deployments and test-pilot duties. A veteran of four spacewalks, he is the first Black astronaut ever to be sent on a lunar mission.
MISSION SPECIALIST CHRISTINA KOCH
Koch, 47, set a record in 2019 for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman, spending 328 days aboard the ISS, and was part of NASA's first three all-female spacewalks. Trained as an electrical engineer and physicist, she previously worked as a NASA engineer and carried out extended research expeditions in Antarctica. She is the first woman to fly on a moon-bound mission.
MISSION SPECIALIST JEREMY HANSEN
Hansen, 50, a Royal Canadian Air Force colonel, is the first Canadian, and first non-U.S. citizen, sent on a lunar mission even as he makes his own first spaceflight. He was selected for Canada's astronaut corps in 2009, and his seat aboard Artemis II reflects a long-standing U.S.–Canadian partnership in human spaceflight, including Canada's contributions to robotics used aboard the ISS.
(Compiled by Joey Roulette in Cape Canaveral, Florida and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Jamie Freed)
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Miley Cyrus details her fear of paper, says fiancé Maxx Morando opens their packages outside: 'That's really why I got engaged' - 2
What did the gov’t approve for Israel’s 2026 state budget? - 3
As infant botulism cases climb to 31, recalled ByHeart baby formula is still on some store shelves - 4
Two IDF officers, civilian face indictment in alleged Gaza aid-truck smuggling scheme - 5
4 astronauts depart ISS, leaving behind just 3 crewmates to staff the orbiting lab
Blue Origin's next space tourism flight will break new ground for people with disabilities
Creativity Revealed: A Survey of \Making Shocking Looks\ Cosmetics Item
Top Pastry: What's Your Sweet Treat of Decision?
Old video misrepresented as senior Sri Lankan ruling party member criticising president over fuel shortage
21 Incredibly Interesting Contemplations To Observe Consistently
Figure out How to Explore the Infotainment Framework in the Slam 1500.
Is 'Veronica Mars' about to be your new binge-watch? It's now streaming on Netflix.
Arrow Exploration brings new Colombian oil well on stream ahead of schedule and under budget
A trip to Colombia in my 20s turned into 8 years freelancing in South America. Here's what I'd do differently.











