Victor Glover Jr. Set for Historic Lunar Flyby

Astronaut Victor Glover Jr. has been selected as the pilot for NASA’s Artemis II mission, marking a significant milestone in space exploration history.

Glover Jr., who resides in Houston with his family, will achieve another first: becoming the first Black man to fly around the Moon.

This selection follows a previous historic achievement for Glover. In 2021, his father, Victor Glover Sr. of Prosper, recalled when Glover Jr. completed a 167-day long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Artemis II Crew and Mission Details

The Artemis II mission is scheduled as a 10-day journey involving a flyby of the Moon. This flight represents the first crewed launch toward the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission concluded in 1972.

It is important to note that, unlike the Apollo program, the Artemis II crew will not be landing on the lunar surface during this flight.

Mission Timeline and Crew Composition

The Artemis II crew, comprised of four astronauts, has faced several schedule adjustments. Initial plans targeted a 2023 launch date.

However, due to necessary repairs and other factors, NASA has officially rescheduled the launch for April 1, 2026. The mission team is composed of diverse talent from both NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

The Artemis II Astronaut Team

The four-person crew for Artemis II includes:

  • NASA Commander Reid Wiseman
  • NASA Mission Specialist Christina Koch
  • Canadian Space Agency Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen
  • Victor Glover Jr., Pilot