
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
They want better health care — so they're turning to crypto startups - 2
The race is on to turn your body into a GLP-1 factory - 3
Minute Maid’s frozen juice concentrate is ending after 80 years — and so is a certain kind of kitchen ritual - 4
Nick Reiner's defense attorney asks to be replaced, again delaying arraignment in connection with the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner - 5
Experience Unrivaled Sound: Top Speakers You Really want to Hear
Germany to create restitution council to return colonia-era acquired cultural artefacts
South America's Memorable Destinations: A Movement Guide
NASA releases stunning first images of Earth taken by the Artemis II astronauts
Step by step instructions to Keep up with the Life span of Your Kona SUV's Battery Duration
Well known Travel Booking Locales: What's Your Pick?
Philippines evacuates 3,000 villagers after volcano activity raises alert level
Gaza amputees struggle to rebuild lives as the enclave faces shortages of prosthetic limbs
One month of war on Iran cost Arab countries up to $194bn: UNDP
New dietary guidelines recommend more dairy, meat and fats: What to know












