NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) have named four astronauts who will fly around the moon next November in the Artemis II spacecraft, the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establish a long-term presence on the Moon for scientific research.. This is the official website of the space agency..

Commander Reed Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christine Hammock Koch and CSA Astronaut, Mission Specialist Jeremy Gansen.

" This is their crew, this is our crew, humanity's crew. Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star explorers and dreamers – the Artemis Generation,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson..

The test flight of Artemis II will be launched on a powerful Space Launch System rocket and will last about 10 days. Astronauts will test the life support systems of the Orion spacecraft and the capabilities and methods needed for people to live and work in deep space.

This will be Wiseman's second trip to space.. Previously, he worked as a flight engineer aboard Expedition 41 International Station from May to November 2014.. Wiseman has spent over 165 days in space and 13 hours in outer space.. Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from December 2020 to November 2022..

This mission will also be the second spaceflight for Glover, formerly a NASA SpaceX Crew-1 pilot, who landed on May 2, 2021 after 168 days in space.. As a flight engineer aboard the Expedition 64 space station, he participated in scientific research, technology demonstrations and four spacewalks..

Koch will also make his second spaceflight as part of the Artemis II mission.. She worked as a flight engineer aboard the space station on Expeditions 59, 60 and 61.. Koch set the record for the longest space flight by a woman - 328 days in space - and participated in the first all-female spacewalks.

Hansen makes his first space flight. A Canadian Forces Colonel and former fighter pilot, Hansen holds a Bachelor of Science in Space Science from the Royal Canadian Military College in Kingston, Ontario and a Master of Science in Physics from the same institution in 2000..

“I can't help but be proud that this brave four will make our trips to the moon and beyond possible.. The Artemis II mission will be challenging. But with Reed, Victor, Christina and Jeremy at the wheel, I have no doubt that we are ready to face every challenge ahead,” said NASA Director of Flight Operations Norm Knight..

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Earlier, NASA showed prototypes of spacesuits developed by Axiom Space for the Artemis III mission.. According to the agency's website, astronauts will wear these spacesuits while working at the south pole of the moon..

In addition, the Agency has selected US rocket builder Firefly Aerospace to build and deploy a lander on the far side of the Moon in 2026..

Read about the features of the Artemis mission and preparations for the launch in the article by Yuri Kirpichev “America is returning to the moon! » on DT. U.A..