NASA will host a news conference at 2 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to provide Artemis II mission preparations and crew training updates. Artemis II will send a crew of four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and back, paving the way for future long-term human exploration missions to the lunar surface, and eventually Mars.
NASA will provide live coverage of the news conference on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. Watch the update live here.
Participants will include:
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
- NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy
- Jim Free, NASA associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
- Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, NASA
- Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, NASA
- Christina Hammock Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, NASA
- Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, CSA (Canadian Space Agency)
A New Era of Exploration
In April this year, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) revealed the names of the four astronauts who will journey around the Moon on Artemis II. This landmark mission will mark a pivotal step on NASA’s trajectory towards establishing a sustained presence on the Moon for both scientific endeavors and exploratory pursuits through the Artemis program.
As NASA Administrator Bill Nelson put it, “The Artemis II crew represents thousands of people working tirelessly to bring us to the stars. This is their crew, this is our crew, this is humanity’s crew.”
The crew members, NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch, alongside CSA astronaut Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen, embody the essence of unity in diversity, encapsulating the spirit of exploration that binds humanity together.
Nelson aptly states, “E pluribus unum – out of many, one. Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers – the Artemis Generation.”
Crew Assignments and Ambitious Demonstrations
The Artemis II mission is slated to be carried out by a stellar team: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch, and Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen. Collaboratively, they will execute a series of ambitious demonstrations during the flight test.
Over the course of around 10 days, the Artemis II flight test will see the deployment of NASA’s robust Space Launch System rocket, validating the life-support systems of the Orion spacecraft, and affirming the techniques and capabilities indispensable for humans to not only exist but also thrive in the challenging environment of deep space.
A Canadian Touch on Lunar Exploration
Canada’s involvement in this remarkable journey has been highlighted by the Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, the minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency.
He expressed, “We are going back to the Moon and Canada is at the center of this exciting journey.” The selection of CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen to participate in this historic mission underscores the long-standing collaboration between NASA and Canada.
Champagne underlined the significance of this moment in Canada’s space history and its testament to the strong partnership between the two nations.
Pioneering Diversity and Inclusion
Building upon the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission, Artemis II is set to pave the way for further achievements. The mission holds the promise of not only featuring the first woman but also the first person of color and the first Canadian on a lunar voyage.
This historic endeavor showcases the inclusive nature of this exploration, exemplifying the potential for humanity to unite and contribute to collective progress.
The Faces Behind Artemis II
The Artemis II crew comprises exceptional individuals, each with their own unique contributions:
Reid Wiseman (Commander): This will be Wiseman’s second space journey, having previously served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station. His experiences have accumulated over 165 days in space, including extensive spacewalking activity.
Victor Glover (Pilot): Glover, having completed a successful stint as a pilot on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission, brings his invaluable expertise to Artemis II. During his time aboard the ISS, he actively engaged in scientific research and technological advancements.
Christina Hammock Koch (Mission Specialist 1): With Artemis II, Koch embarks on her second spaceflight, having previously operated as a flight engineer on the space station during Expeditions 59, 60, and 61. She notably set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist 2): Hansen, representing Canada, is making his inaugural flight into space. His impressive credentials as a colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and a former fighter pilot, coupled with his academic achievements in space science, make him a valuable addition to the team.
A Glimpse into the Future
Vanessa Wyche, Director at NASA Johnson, underscored the significance of the Artemis II mission, stating, “This mission paves the way for the expansion of human deep space exploration and presents new opportunities for scientific discoveries, commercial, industry and academic partnerships and the Artemis Generation.”
As the Artemis program progresses, NASA aims to employ innovative technologies to explore previously uncharted lunar terrains. Collaborative efforts with international and commercial partners will lead to the establishment of a sustained presence on the Moon, setting the stage for the ultimate leap – sending astronauts to Mars.