NASA has officially named the four astronauts who will fly on Artemis III, the first crewed lunar landing mission in over five decades—and the first to include a woman and a person of color. Scheduled for no earlier than September 2027, the mission will mark humanity’s return to the Moon’s surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew includes three U.S. astronauts and one Canadian, reflecting NASA’s international partnership under the Artemis Accords. Here’s who they are, their backgrounds, and what this mission represents for the future of space exploration.
Artemis III builds on the success of Artemis II, which in late 2025 will send four astronauts around the Moon without landing—a critical test of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Unlike its predecessors, Artemis III will land near the lunar south pole, a region rich in water ice that could support future sustainable exploration. The mission’s crew selection reflects NASA’s commitment to diversity and global collaboration, with astronauts from both NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
But the crew announcement has also sparked debate. While NASA emphasizes the mission’s scientific and exploratory goals, some critics argue the all-male crew selection undermines the agency’s stated priorities of inclusivity and representation. The agency has defended its choice, citing operational requirements and the need for specialized expertise in lunar surface operations. Below, we break down the crew, their roles, and the mission’s broader implications.
Who Are the Four Astronauts Flying on Artemis III?
NASA and the CSA announced the Artemis III crew on April 3, 2024, during a live broadcast from Johnson Space Center in Houston. The team consists of:
- Reid Wiseman (NASA) – Mission Commander
- Victor Glover (NASA) – Pilot
- Christina Koch (NASA) – Lunar Module Pilot
- Jeremy Hansen (CSA) – Mission Specialist
Each astronaut brings unique experience to the mission. Wiseman, a former Navy test pilot and veteran of the International Space Station (ISS), will lead the crew. Glover, the first Black astronaut to fly on a long-duration space mission, will serve as pilot, overseeing Orion’s systems. Koch, who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days), will operate the lunar lander. Hansen, a former fighter pilot and the first non-American to fly on a lunar mission, will serve as mission specialist, supporting extravehicular activities and science operations.
Why these astronauts? NASA selected the crew based on their technical expertise, adaptability, and ability to work under pressure. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, “This crew represents thousands of people working tirelessly to bring Artemis III to life. They embody exploration, teamwork, and the enduring human spirit to touch the stars.”
“We’re going back to the Moon—and this time, we’re going to stay.”
—NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, during the crew announcement
What Are Their Roles in the Mission?
The Artemis III mission will follow a complex trajectory involving three rockets, two orbital rendezvous, and a lunar landing. Here’s how each astronaut’s role breaks down:
- Reid Wiseman (Commander) – Responsible for overall mission leadership, including communication with Mission Control, crew coordination, and critical decision-making during descent and ascent. Wiseman will also perform extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the lunar surface.
- Victor Glover (Pilot) – Manages Orion’s systems, including navigation, propulsion, and life support. Glover will assist in docking with the lunar lander and monitor systems during the lunar orbit phase.
- Christina Koch (Lunar Module Pilot) – Operates the SpaceX Starship Human Landing System (HLS), which will descend to the lunar surface. Koch will also conduct science experiments and technology demonstrations during the surface stay.
- Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist) – Supports EVAs, manages payload operations, and assists in setting up lunar infrastructure. Hansen will also document the mission’s progress for future crews.
Key challenge: The mission’s duration—approximately 6.5 days on the lunar surface—requires the crew to operate efficiently in partial gravity (about 16% of Earth’s gravity) and manage limited resources. NASA has emphasized training in lunar geology, system troubleshooting, and teamwork under stress.
Why Is This Mission Different from Apollo?
Artemis III is not just a repeat of the Apollo program. Several key differences set it apart:
- Diversity and inclusion: For the first time, a woman and a person of color will walk on the Moon. Christina Koch and Victor Glover represent NASA’s push to reflect a broader range of human experiences in space exploration.
- Lunar south pole: Unlike Apollo missions, which landed near the equator, Artemis III will target the south pole, where water ice deposits could support long-term lunar bases.
- International partnership: Jeremy Hansen’s inclusion marks the first time a non-American astronaut will fly on a lunar mission, underlining NASA’s collaboration with the CSA and other Artemis Accords signatories.
- Sustainable exploration: Artemis III is designed to test technologies that will enable future missions, including in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to produce oxygen and fuel from lunar materials.
Controversy over crew composition: While NASA has celebrated the mission’s diversity, some critics argue the all-male crew selection contradicts the agency’s stated goals. In a New York Times report, space policy experts noted that NASA had previously committed to including at least one woman in the crew. However, NASA officials have defended the choice, citing operational constraints and the need for specialized expertise in lunar lander operations.
“The crew of Artemis III represents the best of NASA’s astronaut corps—highly trained, mission-ready, and prepared to push the boundaries of human exploration.”
—Joe Acaba, NASA’s chief of the Astronaut Office
What Happens Next for Artemis III?
Artemis III remains on track for a launch no earlier than September 2027, pending successful completion of Artemis II and Starship HLS development. Here’s the current timeline:
- 2025: Artemis II launches with four astronauts (including Victor Glover) on a lunar flyby mission.
- 2026: Starship HLS completes uncrewed lunar landing tests.
- 2027: Artemis III launches, with the crew landing near the lunar south pole for a 6.5-day surface mission.
- 2028–2030: Artemis IV and V missions expand lunar infrastructure, including the Lunar Gateway space station.
Critical dependencies: The mission’s success hinges on the readiness of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and SpaceX’s Starship HLS. Delays in any of these could push the launch date further into 2028.
How Can the Public Follow Artemis III?
NASA will provide regular updates on the mission’s progress through multiple channels:
- NASA’s Artemis website – Official mission updates, crew profiles, and launch schedules.
- NASA Live – Live streams of key events, including launch and lunar landing.
- Canadian Space Agency (CSA) updates – Details on Jeremy Hansen’s role and international contributions.
- SpaceX Starship HLS updates – Progress on the lunar lander development.
Fans can also follow the astronauts on social media:
- Reid Wiseman: @astro_reid
- Victor Glover: @astro_victorglover
- Christina Koch: @astro_christina
- Jeremy Hansen: @Astro_Jeremy
Why Does Artemis III Matter?
Artemis III is more than a return to the Moon—it’s a stepping stone to Mars and a testament to international cooperation. Here’s what’s at stake:
- Scientific discovery: The lunar south pole’s water ice could provide resources for future missions, including rocket fuel and life support.
- Technological innovation: The mission will test new spacesuits, life support systems, and lunar dust mitigation technologies.
- Global leadership: By including a Canadian astronaut, NASA is reinforcing its partnerships under the Artemis Accords, which now include 38 countries.
- Inspiration for future generations: The mission aims to inspire diverse groups to pursue careers in STEM, particularly women and minorities.
Long-term goal: Artemis III is part of NASA’s broader plan to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the late 2020s, serving as a proving ground for Mars missions in the 2030s.
Next Steps: NASA will host a press conference on June 10, 2024, to provide additional details on the mission’s science objectives and crew training progress. The public can submit questions via NASA’s Ask an Expert portal.
With Artemis III, NASA is not just revisiting the Moon—it’s laying the foundation for the next era of human spaceflight. The crew’s journey will test the limits of technology, teamwork, and ambition, proving once again that the sky is not the limit.
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