Jakarta, IO – The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) named four astronauts to be sent to the moon after a 50-year hiatus, reported Okezone, Tuesday (4/4).
Two of them will make history. Christina Koch, 44, will become the first woman astronaut, while Victor Glover, 46, will become the first black astronaut on a lunar mission scheduled to be launced later next year or early 2025. They will be joined by Reid Wiseman, 47, and Jeremy Hansen, 47.
NASA introduced the four astronauts publicly at a ceremony in Houston, Texas. Three of them are citizens of the United States while another a Canadian.
This appointment was touted by NASA as proof of its commitment to bringing diversity in its space missions as all previous manned missions to the moon were always carried out by white astronauts.
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“Among the crew of Artemis-2 lunar mission were the first women, the first people of color, and the first Canadian, and the four astronauts will represent humanity at its best as they explore for the benefit of all,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center.
They will now begin a period of rigorous training and simulations to prepare for the mission. (un)