The four astronauts NASA picked for the first crewed moon mission in 50 years | CNN

NASA has chosen a diverse group of four astronauts, including the first Canadian woman in space, to embark on the historic Artemis II mission, which will mark humanity's return to the moon for the first time in 50 years.

The crew consists of Reid Wiseman, a decorated naval aviator and test pilot; Victor Glover, a naval aviator who spent six months aboard the International Space Station; Christina Koch, an electrical engineer who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman; and Jeremy Hansen, a fighter pilot from the Canadian Space Agency.

The Artemis II mission is expected to launch in November 2024 and will take about 10 days to complete, with the crew traveling further than any human has traveled before. The spacecraft will then return to Earth for a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean.

Wiseman, who was selected by NASA in 2009, will serve as the commander of the Artemis II mission. Hansen, on the other hand, is set to become the first Canadian to travel to deep space. Glover's experience includes piloting the second crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft and spending six months aboard the International Space Station.

Koch, a veteran of six spacewalks, holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, with a total of 328 days in space. She also spent a year at the South Pole, which could well prepare her for the intensity of a moon mission.

The Artemis II mission is not only a historic milestone but also marks the beginning of a new era in space exploration. The mission is expected to pave the way for the Artemis III mission later this decade, which will put the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface.

Astronauts from diverse backgrounds were selected for this mission, with NASA's director stating that they have "the right stuff." In an interview, Christina Koch described the moment she was told about her selection as "speechless" and expressed honor to be part of the team returning to the moon.

The four astronauts will share their experiences on CNN's "This Morning" in an upcoming interview.

I'm so hyped for this mission, it's amazing to think that we're finally going back to the moon after all these years! The diverse group of astronauts chosen is totally awesome - it's about time we had more women and people from different backgrounds in space. Christina Koch is an inspiration, 328 days in space is crazy! Jeremy Hansen becoming the first Canadian to travel to deep space is a big deal too, congrats to him! November 2024 can't come soon enough for me, I'll be glued to my screen when the Artemis II mission launches. It's exciting times for space exploration and I'm loving every minute of it!

I'm telling ya, this is all too convenient . They're sending these four astronauts up there just in time for the next big election cycle . I mean, think about it, we've got a Canadian woman going to space first? That's some kind of symbolic gesture, right? And what about Hansen, the fighter pilot from Canada? He's gonna be the first one in deep space? Sounds like some propaganda to me .

And let's not forget Koch and her record-breaking spaceflight. What a convenient coincidence that she was just about to break that record before NASA approached her . I'm not saying they're bad people or anything, but there's definitely more to this story than meets the eye . We'll see how much of that "right stuff" we really get when they return from their mission .

Just saw this thread popping up from last year lol . So stoked for these amazing ppl who got selected! I mean, it's about time we see more diversity in space exploration . Christina Koch is literally a total rockstar, 328 days in space is insane . Can't wait to hear what she and the others share on CNN's "This Morning" . And Jeremy Hansen becoming the first Canadian to travel to deep space? Mind blown! Canada, you got this!

I'm so stoked about this ! The Artemis II mission is gonna be a game-changer, marking humanity's return to the moon after 50 years. And can we talk about how amazing it is that they've chosen such a diverse crew? Reid Wiseman's naval aviator background will definitely come in handy, Victor Glover's experience with SpaceX's Crew Dragon is super cool, and Jeremy Hansen becoming the first Canadian to venture into deep space is just awesome . But what really gets me excited is that Christina Koch's record-breaking spaceflight experience and skills for a moon mission are top-notch . This mission is more than just a historical milestone – it's a stepping stone to a new era of space exploration, with NASA pushing the boundaries of who can be part of this incredible journey . Bring on November 2024!

I'm loving this new generation of space explorers! It's amazing to think about how far we've come since the last time humans visited the moon back in 1970. These four astronauts are not only talented but also from different backgrounds, which is exactly what we need more of in this world - diversity and inclusion . Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are going to make us proud! I'm excited to see what they'll achieve on their mission .

I'm super stoked that we're finally going back to the moon! It's been ages since humans have set foot there and I feel like it's high time for us to explore beyond our planet . The diversity of the crew is a major plus in my opinion, I mean who wouldn't want to see more women and people from different backgrounds breaking barriers in space exploration? It's amazing that Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and Jeremy Hansen gets to become the first Canadian to travel to deep space - the opportunities are endless! The Artemis II mission is not just about returning to the moon, it's also about paving the way for future missions and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. I'm curious to see what kind of experiences they'll share with us on CNN's "This Morning" soon .

oh my gosh I am literally freaking out thinking about this Artemis II mission and all the incredible things our selected astronauts are going to do it's not just that they're a diverse group of talented individuals but they're also being sent on this historic journey because of their unique experiences and qualifications. Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and is literally going to be back on the moon in 10 days?! Jeremy Hansen is about to become the first Canadian to travel to deep space which means there are still so many more people from all over the world who have yet to experience this kind of adventure. And can we even talk about Reid Wiseman's skills as a naval aviator and test pilot I mean the guy has been trained for some serious stuff. The fact that NASA chose someone with Hansen's background is just incredible because it shows that they're thinking outside the box and looking at all the different ways people have come together to achieve something amazing. This mission isn't just about space exploration it's about humans coming together and pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible. It gives me chills thinking about it

Can you even believe we're finally going back to the moon?! I mean, I know it's not like we've never been there before, but still... 50 years is a looong time! And to think this crew is so diverse - first Canadian woman in space, fighter pilot from Canada, and all around super accomplished individuals. Reid Wiseman as commander is the perfect choice btw And can't wait to see these astronauts share their experiences on CNN

I'm low-key hyped for this Artemis II mission! It's dope that they're sending a diverse crew, including our first Canadian woman in space, Christina Koch . I mean, can you imagine the stories she'll be sharing about her record-breaking spaceflight? And Jeremy Hansen becoming the first Canuck to venture into deep space is a major milestone too! Canada's got some serious space chops now .

I'm also stoked that NASA is paving the way for future missions with women and people of color on board. It's about time we see more representation in space exploration, you know? The fact that Christina Koch was "speechless" when she found out about her selection just shows how humbling it must be to be part of something so historic .

Anyway, I'm all about this Artemis II mission and the excitement around it! Who else is with me on this lunar journey?

I'm so hyped for this mission! It's awesome that NASA is going all out with a diverse crew, setting the bar high for representation and inclusivity. A Canadian woman in space? That's a major milestone right there . I love that Christina Koch has been preparing for this moment, spending years at the South Pole to build up her endurance – talk about dedication! This mission is more than just a historic return to the moon; it's a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together and support each other. Fingers crossed for a successful launch in November 2024

Can't believe we're finally gonna go back to the moon! I'm hyped about this mission . Four awesome astronauts, all from different backgrounds, are ready to make history . Christina Koch is a total rockstar for breaking that record for longest single spaceflight by a woman . Jeremy Hansen becoming the first Canadian in deep space? Mind blown ! November 2024 can't come soon enough, I wanna see them make some amazing discoveries and get that splashdown landing safely back to Earth