Artemis II: Humans Return to the Moon — And What It Means for Your Child's Future
Right now, as you read this, four humans are further from Earth than anyone has ever been. NASA's Artemis II mission launched on 1 April 2026, sending astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a ten-day flyby around the Moon — the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. This is more than a space mission. It's a signal to every child watching: the age of exploration is back.
Why This Matters for Kids
The Artemis crew didn't start as astronauts. They started as curious children who loved science, engineering, and flying. Every one of them built their career step by step — through education, hard work, and following what fascinated them. Their paths are ones your child could follow too.
What Is Artemis II?
Artemis II is the first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface and eventually establish a permanent presence on the Moon. The crew are flying aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched on the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The mission won't land on the Moon — that comes with Artemis III. Instead, the crew will fly around the far side of the Moon, testing Orion's life support systems, navigation, and communication capabilities in deep space. They'll travel further from Earth than any human in history.
Meet the Crew: Top Trumps Edition
What does it take to fly to the Moon? Here are the four astronauts aboard Artemis II — presented as Top Trumps cards so you can see exactly what skills, education, and experience got them there.
Reid Wiseman
Commander, Artemis II • 🇺🇸 American
Education
BSc Computer & Systems Engineering (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) • MSc Systems Engineering (Johns Hopkins University)
Key Skills
Career Path
- →US Navy fighter pilot
- →Naval Test Pilot School graduate
- →Selected as NASA astronaut (2009)
- →165 days on the International Space Station (2014)
- →Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office (2020-2022)
- →Artemis II Commander
Fun Fact
Wiseman is a single father of two who continued his astronaut career while raising his children after the passing of his wife in 2020.
Victor Glover
Pilot, Artemis II • 🇺🇸 American
Education
BSc General Engineering (Cal Poly) • MSc Flight Test Engineering (Air University) • MSc Systems Engineering (Naval Postgraduate School) • MSc Military Operational Art (Air University)
Key Skills
Career Path
- →US Navy fighter pilot (F/A-18 Hornet)
- →Naval Test Pilot School graduate
- →Over 3,000 flight hours in 40+ aircraft
- →Selected as NASA astronaut (2013)
- →Crew-1 SpaceX Dragon pilot to ISS (2020)
- →First Black astronaut on a lunar mission
Fun Fact
Glover was a star high school athlete — quarterback and running back — before choosing engineering over sport. He holds four postgraduate degrees.
Christina Koch
Mission Specialist, Artemis II • 🇺🇸 American
Education
BSc Electrical Engineering & Physics (NC State University) • MSc Electrical Engineering (NC State University)
Key Skills
Career Path
- →Electrical engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- →Research stations in Antarctica and the Arctic
- →NOAA field engineer in remote locations
- →Selected as NASA astronaut (2013)
- →Holds record for longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days)
- →First woman on a lunar mission
Fun Fact
Before becoming an astronaut, Koch worked at research stations at the South Pole and on a remote island in American Samoa. She's used to extreme environments.
Jeremy Hansen
Mission Specialist, Artemis II • 🇨🇦 Canadian
Education
BSc Space Science (Royal Military College of Canada) • MSc Physics (Royal Military College of Canada)
Key Skills
Career Path
- →Canadian Armed Forces fighter pilot (CF-18 Hornet)
- →NORAD operations — defending North American airspace
- →Selected as Canadian Space Agency astronaut (2009)
- →Led NASA's NEEMO undersea mission
- →Trained geology field teams for lunar surface work
- →First Canadian on a lunar mission
Fun Fact
Hansen has never been to space before Artemis II — making his first ever spaceflight a trip around the Moon. He's also a trained geologist who helped design how astronauts will study Moon rocks.
Bonus Card: The Voice Bringing It Home
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock
BBC Presenter & Space Scientist • 🇬🇧 British
Education
BSc Physics (Imperial College London) • PhD Mechanical Engineering (Imperial College London)
Key Skills
Career Path
- →Built telescope instruments for observing distant galaxies
- →Worked on missile warning systems at the Ministry of Defence
- →Designed instruments for the Aeolus satellite (measuring wind speeds)
- →Co-presenter of BBC's The Sky at Night since 2014
- →Presenting BBC's Artemis II coverage with Tim Peake
- →Chancellor of the University of Leicester
Fun Fact
Maggie attended 13 different schools growing up and was told by a teacher she should be a nurse instead of an astronaut. She was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. She went on to earn a PhD from Imperial College and receive a Damehood for services to science.
Spot the Pattern
Every single person on this page studied STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering, or maths. But none of them followed the same path. A fighter pilot, a polar researcher, a telescope builder, a systems engineer. There's no single route to space. There are hundreds.
Career Pathways Inspired by Artemis
The Artemis programme doesn't just need astronauts. It takes thousands of engineers, scientists, programmers, doctors, and communicators to make a Moon mission happen. Here are some of the career areas your child could explore:
Aerospace Engineering
Designing spacecraft, rockets, and satellites. The SLS rocket and Orion capsule were built by aerospace engineers.
Subjects: Maths, Physics, Design Technology
Astrophysics & Astronomy
Understanding the universe, from Moon geology to distant galaxies. Jeremy Hansen trained in geology specifically for lunar exploration.
Subjects: Physics, Maths, Chemistry
Software & Systems Engineering
Programming flight computers, navigation systems, and mission control software. Reid Wiseman studied computer and systems engineering.
Subjects: Computer Science, Maths, Physics
Science Communication
Explaining complex science to the public. Maggie Aderin-Pocock turned her physics degree into a career inspiring millions through TV and outreach.
Subjects: Any science + English, Media Studies
Electrical Engineering
Building the power systems, communications, and instruments that keep spacecraft alive. Christina Koch's electrical engineering background was key to her selection.
Subjects: Physics, Maths, Electronics
Space Medicine
Keeping astronauts healthy in space. Doctors and biomedical engineers design life support systems and monitor crew health throughout missions.
Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
UK Space Industry: Closer Than You Think
The UK space sector employs over 50,000 people and contributes billions to the economy. Major employers include Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage (who built parts of the Orion service module), Rolls-Royce (developing nuclear propulsion for deep space), and the UK Space Agency. Scotland alone has more satellite-building companies than anywhere else in Europe.
Your child doesn't need to move to Houston to work in space. They could be designing satellites in Glasgow, building rocket engines in Buckinghamshire, or analysing data from the Moon at the European Space Agency's facility in Oxfordshire.
Getting Started: Activities for Young Space Enthusiasts
- STEM clubs and coding classes — build the foundations in science and technology
- Astronomy clubs — many local groups welcome young members and have telescopes to share
- Rocketry clubs — build and launch model rockets (UK Rocketry Association runs youth competitions)
- Space camps — residential programmes that simulate astronaut training
- Physics and engineering courses — the core subjects behind every space career
- BBC Stargazing Live events — free public astronomy events across the UK
Explore STEM Activities Near You
Find coding clubs, science workshops, engineering courses, and more for ages 0-18
Sources: NASA, Canadian Space Agency, BBC, Imperial College London. Astronaut ages as of April 2026. Career details compiled from publicly available biographies. Content was rephrased for compliance with licensing restrictions.