The four astronauts who will travel to the moon for the first time in 50 years as part of the Artemis II mission have been identified by NASA. Victor Glover, 46, of Pomona, California, is chosen as the first person of colour. And Christina Koch, 44, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is chosen as the first woman for a lunar moon trip.
Together with Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian astronaut, and Reid Wiseman, a 47-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, they were picked.
They will spend 18 months travelling around the moon in NASA’s Orion spacecraft, with a top altitude of 5,523 miles above the surface.
In the second phase of NASA’s new moon programme for the twenty-first century, known as Artemis II, a different team will set foot on the lunar surface for the first time since 1972.
The mission, Artemis I, which was launched in November 2022 and successfully returned to Earth 25 days later after orbiting the moon, is followed in the story.
To secure the security of the upcoming astronauts when they launch in 2024, this tested Orion’s technological capabilities, especially its heat shield.
The newly revealed crew has already begun training for the expedition, but until today’s press briefing, no one has been able to learn who they are.
Seven years after being chosen as an astronaut in 2013, Victor Glover made history by becoming the first Black American to serve on an ISS expedition crew.
Who is Victor Glover?
Victor J. Glover, Jr. was selected as an astronaut in 2013 while serving as a Legislative Fellow in the United States Senate. He most recently served as pilot and second-in-command on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named Resilience, which landed on May 2, 2021. It is the first post-certification mission of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, the second crewed flight for that vehicle, and a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. He also served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 64. Glover has been assigned as a pilot for NASA’s Artemis II mission.
The California native holds a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science. Glover is a Naval Aviator and was a test pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler. He and his family have been stationed in many locations in the United States and Japan, and he has been deployed in combat and peacetime.
Personal Data
Born in Pomona, California. Married to the former Dionna Odom of Berkeley, California. They have four children. His mother lives in southern California, and his father and stepmother live in Prosper, Texas.
Education
I graduated from Ontario High School, Ontario, California, in 1994. Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, 1999 Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering (USAF TPS), Air University, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 2007. Master of Science in Systems Engineering (PD-21), Naval Postgraduate School, 2009. Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Montgomery, Alabama, 2010.
Experience
Following commissioning, Glover began preflight training in Pensacola, Florida, and completed his advanced flight training in Kingsville, Texas, earning his wings of gold on December 14, 2001. In 2002, Glover reported to the Marine Fleet Replacement Squadron, VMFAT-101, in Miramar, California. In 2003, after completing the F/A-18C syllabus, he was assigned to the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-34 in Oceana, Virginia. With the Blue Blasters, he completed the final deployment of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While deployed, he completed a Space Systems Certificate from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Glover was then selected as the United States Navy’s exchange pilot to attend the Air Force Test Pilot School. During the one-year experimental test piloting course, he flew more than 30 aircraft in the U.S. and Italy. On June 9, 2007, he was designated a test pilot. Glover then served as a test pilot with the Dust Devils of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31 in China Lake, California, testing various weapons systems on the F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler. In his off-duty hours, he earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering via NPS in Monterey, California. In 2009, Glover received orders from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Following graduation, Glover reported to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-195 in Atsugi, Japan, where he served as a department head. With the Dambusters, he deployed three times to various locations in the Pacific Ocean. In 2012, Glover was selected for the Legislative Fellowship. He reported to the Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, D.C., and was assigned to the office of a U.S. Senator. While in Washington D.C., he completed a Certificate in Legislative Studies at Georgetown University. Glover was a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Senate when selected as an astronaut candidate.
Glover accumulated 3,000 flight hours in more than 40 aircraft, over 400 carrier-arrested landings, and 24 combat missions.
Victor Glover NASA Experience
Glover was selected in 2013 as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class. In 2015, he completed Astronaut Candidate Training, including scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. Glover has been assigned as a pilot for NASA’s Artemis II mission.
SpaceX Crew-1 and Expedition 64 (November 15, 2020, to May 2, 2021) was the first post-certification mission of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft—the second crewed flight for that vehicle—and a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. He also served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 64. He contributed to many things while aboard the station, including scientific investigations, technology demonstrations, growing crops, and taking hundreds of pictures of Earth. He completed 168 days in orbit and participated in four spacewalks.
Awards/Honors
The Defense Superior Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and NASA Space Exploration Medal Ontario High School 1994 athlete of the year; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Service to the Community Award and community service notation on transcripts; Distinguished Graduate and Regimental Commander, U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School; Onizuka Prop Wash Award, United States Air Force Test Pilot School; Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College; Named one of Jet Magazine’s inaugural 40 under 40 in 2013.
Victor Glover Organizations
Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Alumni; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, Life Member; Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Member; National Society of Black Engineers; International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE); Tailhook Association, Life Member
