NASA assigns crew for Artemis III, sets aggressive timeline for flying it

NASA announced the crew for its Artemis III mission on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, during an event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. This mission, intended for low-Earth orbit, will involve the Orion spacecraft docking with lunar lander prototypes. NASA selected an all-male crew with extensive military experience for this flight. The four astronauts revealed were Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Victor Glover. The agency also outlined an ambitious timeline, aiming for the Artemis III mission to launch in September 2026. This mission marks a significant step in NASA's lunar exploration program, with Artemis III being the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew will undergo rigorous training to prepare for the complex operations, including spacewalks on the lunar surface. NASA administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of this mission for future deep space exploration and scientific discovery.