NASA Astronaut Victor J. Glover to Become First Black Man on Lunar Mission

US Navy Pilot and NASA Astronaut Victor J. Glover will make history as the first Black man to take part in a lunar mission.

It was announced by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency that Glover will be a part of the Artemis II crew during a 10-day flight test, which will travel around the moon to prove that humans can live in space. The mission will also validate the Orion spacecraft’s life support systems. Glover will be joined by Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Hammock Koch and Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen.

"For the first time in more than 50 years, these individuals – the Artemis II crew – will be the first humans to fly to the vicinity of the Moon. Among the crew are the first woman, first person of color, and first Canadian on a lunar mission, and all four astronauts will represent the best of humanity as they explore for the benefit of all," said Director Vanessa Wyche, NASA Johnson. "This mission paves the way for the expansion of human deep space exploration and presents new opportunities for scientific discoveries, commercial, industry and academic partnerships and the Artemis Generation."

“The Artemis II crew represents thousands of people working tirelessly to bring us to the stars. This is their crew, this is our crew, this is humanity’s crew,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated. “NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Hammock Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, each has their own story, but, together, they represent our creed: E pluribus unum – out of many, one. Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers – the Artemis Generation.”

Glover was first selected by NASA for their 21st Astronaut Group in 2013, during his time as a Legislative Fellow in the United States Senate and most recently served as pilot and second-in-command on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2021. The Artemis II mission is scheduled to take place as early as 2024.