Arabic version: تعرف على طاقم أرتيميس II المقرر له مهمة تاريخية على القمر
Four astronauts are preparing for a groundbreaking mission as part of NASA’s Artemis II program, marking the first crewed lunar orbit in over 50 years. The crew consists of three NASA astronauts—Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch—along with Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. These accomplished professionals will not only be space pioneers but also face the challenges of balancing family life with their historic adventure. According to BBC News, the mission aims to pave the way for future lunar exploration.
Commander Reid Wiseman, a former US Navy test pilot, previously spent six months aboard the International Space Station as a flight engineer on Expedition 40 in 2014. Wiseman, who lost his wife to cancer in 2020, is raising their two teenage daughters and emphasizes the importance of discussing risks with his family. He plans to take a small notepad to jot down his thoughts during the mission.
Christina Koch, an engineer and physicist, made history in 2019 by completing the longest single spaceflight by a woman, spending 328 days aboard the International Space Station. As the first woman set to travel to the Moon, Koch’s journey began with a childhood fascination sparked by a famous photograph of Earth from the Moon. She will carry handwritten notes from loved ones as a personal connection during the mission.
Jeremy Hansen, a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, has never flown in space but has trained new astronauts at NASA. He aims to become the first non-American to travel to the Moon and sees this mission as a testament to international cooperation in space exploration. Hansen will carry four Moon-shaped pendants for his wife and three children, along with maple syrup and cookies.
Victor Glover, a former Navy pilot, is also set to make history as the first black person to travel to the Moon. With a charismatic presence and a keen focus on learning from past missions, Glover is preparing by studying original Gemini and Apollo journal papers from the 1960s. His journey symbolizes a significant moment in the ongoing story of space exploration and diversity in the field.
