NASA Crew Arrives for First Moon Mission in 50 Years

For the first time in over half a century, astronauts are preparing to leave Earth's orbit and journey to the moon.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen landed their T-38 jets at Kennedy Space Center on March 27. The crew is now in their final quarantine period before launch, scheduled as soon as April 1.

The four will fly aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft, launched by the powerful Space Launch System rocket, on a 10-day loop around the moon. This marks the first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis program and the first astronauts to fly to the moon since Apollo 17 touched down in 1972.

Glover will make history as the first Black astronaut to travel to the moon, while Koch will be the first woman. Hansen becomes the first Canadian to venture beyond Earth orbit.

The crew won't land on the lunar surface during this mission. Instead, they'll test Orion's life support systems in deep space for the first time with humans aboard, flying a path around the moon's far side that naturally returns them to Earth.

"It's awesome to be here. We love coming here," Wiseman said after landing. The team has been in quarantine since March 20, ensuring they stay healthy for their historic journey.

The Ripple Effect

This mission opens the door for humanity's return to the moon. NASA plans to demonstrate lunar landing technology during Artemis 3 next year in Earth orbit, with the first actual lunar landing targeted for Artemis 4 in 2028.

Beyond those initial missions, the space agency envisions a permanent lunar presence through the 2030s. Plans include habitats where astronauts can live for extended periods, rovers to explore the surface, and regular cargo deliveries to establish a sustained outpost.

The mission represents decades of preparation and thousands of people working toward a shared vision. If the April 1 launch slips, NASA has backup opportunities through April 6, with another window opening April 30.

Four astronauts are about to remind us that humanity's greatest adventures still lie ahead.