NASA’S Artemis II Moon mission - A 21st Century voyage into space
- Rhianna Dankwa
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 4
NASA’s Artemis II mission pushes the boundaries of space exploration.
This 10-day mission is ambitious not only in its goal - launching four astronauts the furthest humans have ever been since 1972 - but also in representation.
The Artemis II crew aboard the SLS (Space launch System) space rocket and Orion spacecraft features the first woman (Christina Koch), the first Black astronaut (Victor Glover), and the first Canadian (Jeremy Hansen) on a lunar mission, plus commander Reid Wiseman.
The four person crew will circle around Earth for a few days before beginning the 240,000-mile journey to the far side of the Moon.
Mission specialist Christina Koch
Some of the most groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics were made by women. Caroline Herschel was the first paid female astronomer; Henrietta Swan Leavitt enabled distance measurements; and Maria Mitchell was the first American professional female astronomer.
Mission specialist Christina Koch joins these inspiring women, in what is now her second flight to space. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, the 47-year-old recently served as a flight engineer aboard the space station for Expedition 59,60, and 61. Her portfolio boasts a record 328 days in space - the longest single spaceflight by a woman - and participating in the first all-female spacewalk.
Pilot Victor Glover
Astronomy tends to overlook the work of people of colour. Contributions span back to ancient African civilisation. The world’s oldest known stone circle, Nabta Playa in Egypt’s Sahara Desert, was built 7,000 years ago. Its ability to track the summer solstice, Orion’s belt, and monsoon seasons to manage agriculture, is often overshadowed by Stonehenge, its successor.
Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. became the first African-American to go to space in 1983, while in 1992 Mae C. Jemison was the first Black woman. 34 years on, NASA’s Victor Glover will add his name in the books in becoming the first Black astronaut to fly around the moon. The 49-year-old will pilot the mission just like on NASA’s 2021 SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 64.
Koch and Glover challenge historic homogeneity in space exploration, inspiring a diverse new generation to pursue careers in astronomy, engineering, and science.
Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen
The international collaboration between America and Canada furthers accessibility to infinity and beyond.
50-year-old Jeremy Hansen will be the first Canadian to ever venture on the moon. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut's presence symbolises a shift away from the nationalistic “space race” of the 1960s and towards an international era of modern space exploration. Hansen champions Canada's contributions to robotics and artificial intelligence in human spaceflight.
Commander Reid Wiseman
Finally, Commander Reid Wiseman previously flew as a flight engineer aboard the International Station for Expedition 41 in 2014. He also served as chief of the Astronaut Office from December 2020 to November 2022.
Koch, Glover, Hansen, and Wiseman represent the next generation of explorers. One small step for unity, is one giant leap for mankind.
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