In a few weeks, humanity will leave low Earth orbit for the first time in 54 years. The Artemis II mission will carry astronauts around the Moon, orbiting our nearest neighbor without landing. The last time humans traveled this far was back in 1972 with Apollo 17, following Apollo 8’s groundbreaking orbit and the subsequent Moon landings. Artemis II is a bridge between those historic missions and the future, setting the stage for Artemis III, when astronauts will step onto the lunar surface once again.
The crew for this journey is a remarkable group: NASA Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, joined by Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. Hansen will become the first Canadian to travel beyond low Earth orbit, highlighting the international collaboration that defines modern space exploration. Over the course of the mission, the crew will test spacecraft systems, perform experiments, and experience the profound perspective of traveling farther from Earth than anyone has in decades.
Few people fully grasp just how historic this moment is. While daily life continues on Earth, these astronauts will circle the Moon, carrying human curiosity and ambition into deep space. Artemis II reminds us that exploration isn’t just about landing—it’s about pushing boundaries, building on the legacy of Apollo, and paving the way for the next generation of explorers to reach even further into the cosmos.