Nasa has named the four astronauts who will crew its Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight to the Moon since 1972. The announcement, made at a press conference in Houston, Texas, confirmed the roster: Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
The mission, scheduled for late 2024, will see the crew orbit the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, testing life support systems and navigation in deep space. It follows the uncrewed Artemis I mission which successfully completed a 25-day test flight in December 2022.
Separately, the UK Space Agency has indicated it is in early discussions with Nasa about contributing to a joint lunar mission. Speaking at the same press conference, UK Space Agency chief executive Dr Paul Bate said: "The UK is committed to deepening its partnership with Nasa on lunar exploration. We are exploring options for UK astronauts to participate in future Artemis missions."
The announcement comes as Britain seeks to bolster its space sector following Brexit. The UK has already invested £16 million in lunar technology, including instruments for Nasa’s Lunar Trailblazer orbiter.
Artemis II represents a critical step towards the programme’s ultimate goal: a sustainable human presence on the Moon by the end of the decade. The mission will also serve as a rehearsal for Artemis III, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface.
The crew selection reflects a deliberate strategy to include international partners. Hansen is the first Canadian to be assigned to a lunar mission, underscoring the growing role of allied space agencies.
Analysts note that the UK’s overture comes at a time of renewed geopolitical competition in space, with China and Russia pursuing their own lunar programmes. A joint UK-Nasa mission would strengthen the Western alliance’s position in the emerging space economy.
No timeline has been announced for a UK contribution. However, Dr Bate confirmed that British astronauts are undergoing training compatible with Artemis standards. The UK currently has two active astronauts: Tim Peake and Rosemary Coogan.
Artemis II is expected to launch from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than November 2024. The crew will spend approximately ten days in space, including a transit of the Moon’s far side.
