Meet The Four Astronauts Chosen For NASA’s 2027 Artemis III Mission
on Jun 10, 2026
NASA Prepares For Its Next Mission
Earlier this year, four astronauts made history as they prepared to journey around the moon. Artemis II officially launched at 6:35:12 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1st, 2026. As the launch window opened, NASA flight controllers briefly paused the countdown to address minor technical issues, resuming it a few minutes later before liftoff.
Artemis II carried the astronauts on a 9.5-day journey that took them around the Moon and back to Earth. The crew traveled inside the Orion spacecraft, designed for deep-space exploration.
Unlike future Artemis missions, Artemis II did not attempt a landing. Instead, it was designed as a test flight to evaluate critical systems and equipment. NASA officials say the mission was a key step in preparing for future lunar landings under the Artemis program.
Who Was Aboard Artemis II?
The historic trip was commanded by Reid Weisman, and also included Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
The crew aboard Artemis II was significant as it included the first woman and first Black astronaut to travel to deep lunar space, as well as the first Canadian astronaut assigned to a Moon mission.
Weisman called the team “very special,” emphasizing the significance and scope of their mission.
Artemis III Crew Officially Announced
On Tuesday (June 9), NASA officially announced the crew of astronauts selected for the Artemis III mission. This mission, scheduled for 2027, will serve as a critical test flight while helping lay the groundwork for future lunar exploration.
According to NASA, the journey will take off in NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. The astronauts aboard will conduct a series of complex docking and rendezvous tests in Earth orbit with lunar lander systems being developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
“Artemis III will demonstrate the power of American innovation and international partnership as we test complex rendezvous and docking operations and advance the technologies that will one day carry us deeper into the solar system,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared. “This mission will require the most awe-inspiring coordination of heavy-lift rocket launches in history, drawing on the talent and capability of teams across government and the spaceflight community.”
The crew includes commander Randy Bresnik, pilot Luca Parmitano, and mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. NASA astronaut Bob Hines was named as the backup crew member.
Critics Respond To All Male Artemis III Crew
The flight is designed to validate key technologies and operations needed for Artemis IV, the first planned crewed mission to the Moon’s south pole in 2028.
After NASA made the announcement on Instagram, however, many questioned why there were no women involved with the mission.
“Yall have FIFTEEN women in the NASA astronaut program, that’s 41 percent women. Women should be included every step of the way,” one user wrote.
“Where are the women? Very disappointing,” another commented.
Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming Artemis III mission!
