Introduction
The Artemis II mission made history not just because it flew humans around the Moon for the first time in 50 years, but because of who those humans were. The four astronauts — three from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency — represented a tapestry of firsts: the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non‑American to travel beyond low Earth orbit. This Artemis II crew guide provides detailed biographies of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, including their backgrounds, training, and personal stories.
For a complete overview of the mission, read our main guide: Artemis II 2026: Historic Moon Mission .
Commander Reid Wiseman – The Veteran
Reid Wiseman is a 50‑year‑old NASA astronaut and former chief of the Astronaut Office. He was selected as an astronaut in 2009. Wiseman previously flew on a 165‑day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 40/41 in 2014, during which he performed two spacewalks.
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
- Education: Bachelor‘s in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Master’s in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University
- Military background: U.S. Navy pilot, Captain
- Time in space before Artemis II: 165 days
- Role on Artemis II: Commander, responsible for overall mission success and crew safety
As commander, Wiseman was the first person to speak from the Orion spacecraft after the lunar flyby, saying: “This is a giant leap for all of us, but especially for everyone who dreams of reaching higher.”
For more on the spacecraft that carried them, see our SLS & Orion Deep Dive .
Pilot Victor Glover – First Person of Color on a Lunar Mission
Victor Glover is a 49‑year‑old NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy captain. He made history as the first person of color to fly a lunar mission. Glover served as pilot on SpaceX’s second crewed flight (Crew‑1), spending 168 days aboard the ISS. He has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in over 40 different aircraft.
- Birthplace: Pomona, California
- Education: Bachelor‘s in General Engineering from Cal Poly; Master’s in Flight Test Engineering from Air University; Master‘s in Systems Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School
- Military background: U.S. Navy test pilot, Captain
- Time in space before Artemis II: 168 days
- Role on Artemis II: Pilot, responsible for spacecraft navigation and systems
Glover’s presence on the crew was deeply symbolic. After splashdown, he said: “People need to be able to see themselves in the things that they dream about.”
H2: Mission Specialist Christina Koch – First Woman Around the Moon
Christina Koch is a 47‑year‑old NASA astronaut and electrical engineer. She holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman — 328 consecutive days aboard the ISS (2019–2020). She also participated in the first all‑female spacewalk with Jessica Meir. On Artemis II, she became the first woman to fly around the Moon.
- Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Education: Bachelor‘s in Electrical Engineering and Physics from North Carolina State University; Master’s in Electrical Engineering from NCSU
- Time in space before Artemis II: 328 days (record for a woman)
- Role on Artemis II: Mission Specialist, in charge of life support and science experiments
Koch’s journey is especially inspiring because she was not a military pilot; she started as an engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. For a deeper profile, see our Christina Koch: First Woman Around the Moon .
Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen – First Canadian Beyond Earth Orbit
Jeremy Hansen is a 50‑year‑old Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut and a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was selected as a CSA astronaut in 2009. Hansen served as a capsule communicator (CAPCOM) for several ISS missions. On Artemis II, he became the first Canadian to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first non‑American to fly around the Moon.
- Birthplace: London, Ontario, Canada
- Education: Bachelor‘s in Space Science from Royal Military College of Canada; Master’s in Physics from RMC
- Military background: Royal Canadian Air Force colonel, fighter pilot
- Time in space before Artemis II: 0 days (this was his first spaceflight)
- Role on Artemis II: Mission Specialist, responsible for mission planning and communications
Hansen’s inclusion highlights the international cooperation behind the Artemis program. Canada has contributed the Canadarm3 robotic arm for the Lunar Gateway, and in return, a Canadian astronaut flew on the first crewed lunar mission in half a century.
How the Crew Was Selected and Trained
NASA announced the Artemis II crew on April 3, 2023. The selection process considered a balance of experience (Wiseman, Glover, Koch had flown before) and new perspectives (Hansen’s first flight). The crew trained for three years, including:
- Orion spacecraft simulators at Johnson Space Center
- Neutral buoyancy pool to practice emergency egress
- Wilderness survival training in case of off‑target splashdown
- Geology field trips to volcanic regions (Hawaii, Iceland) to practice lunar science
The crew also participated in media events and public outreach, inspiring a new generation of space enthusiasts.
Comparison Table – Artemis II Crew Members
| Astronaut | Country | Role | Previous Spaceflights | Time in Space (before) | Historic First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reid Wiseman | USA | Commander | 1 (ISS) | 165 days | Led first crewed lunar flyby in 50 years |
| Victor Glover | USA | Pilot | 1 (ISS) | 168 days | First person of color on a lunar mission |
| Christina Koch | USA | Mission Specialist | 1 (ISS) | 328 days | First woman to fly around the Moon |
| Jeremy Hansen | Canada | Mission Specialist | 0 (first flight) | 0 days | First Canadian beyond Earth orbit |
Real‑World Applications of These Crew Profiles
- For aspiring astronauts: The diverse backgrounds (military, engineering, science) show there is no single path to space.
- For educators: These stories can inspire students in STEM fields, especially girls and minorities.
- For international partners: Hansen‘s role demonstrates the value of collaboration in space exploration.
- For the public: Knowing the humans behind the mission makes the achievement more relatable.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who commanded the Artemis II mission?
A: Commander Reid Wiseman, a veteran NASA astronaut with 165 days in space on the International Space Station.
Q2: What historic firsts did the Artemis II crew achieve?
A: The crew included the first woman to fly around the Moon (Christina Koch), the first person of color on a lunar mission (Victor Glover), and the first Canadian to travel beyond Earth orbit (Jeremy Hansen).
Q3: Was Jeremy Hansen’s first spaceflight?
A: Yes. Hansen had never flown in space before Artemis II, making him the first Canadian astronaut to go to the Moon on his first mission.
Q4: How long did the crew train for Artemis II?
A: The crew trained for approximately three years, including simulator work, survival training, and geology field trips.
Conclusion
The Artemis II crew were not just astronauts; they were symbols of progress and international cooperation. From Victor Glover breaking color barriers to Christina Koch becoming the first woman around the Moon, and Jeremy Hansen representing Canada, this crew reflected the best of humanity. Their successful mission paved the way for Artemis III and a permanent lunar presence.
Next step: Learn about the spacecraft that carried them in our SLS & Orion Deep Dive .
