NASA is inviting the public to join its upcoming Artemis II moon mission by adding their names to the spacecraft’s digital manifest. Individuals can secure their “boarding pass” by submitting their names on NASA’s website by January 21, 2026. This initiative allows space enthusiasts to feel a personal connection to the mission, which is set to launch in April 2026.
Once submitted, names will be stored on an SD card that will accompany the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Participants will receive a downloadable boarding pass in both English and Spanish, making this a unique collectible for space fans.
Mission Overview and Crew Details
The Artemis II flight will mark a significant milestone as the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program. This mission follows the successful uncrewed Artemis I launch in November 2022, which lasted 25.5 days before a successful splashdown. The Artemis II mission, lasting approximately ten days, aims to test all spacecraft systems with a crew of four astronauts, including three from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency.
The crew members are Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), and Christina Koch (mission specialist) from NASA, alongside Jeremy Hansen, a mission specialist from the Canadian Space Agency. They will be tasked with evaluating Orion’s systems in deep space, focusing on critical operations such as life support, which must generate breathable air and effectively manage carbon dioxide and water vapor produced by the crew.
Public Engagement and Future Missions
This initiative is not just about the mission; it aims to inspire a global audience. According to Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, “Artemis II is a key test flight in our effort to return humans to the Moon’s surface and build toward future missions to Mars.” The mission will serve as a platform to engage the public and encourage interest in space exploration.
Additionally, NASA is also welcoming innovative ideas for new lunar tires, inviting the public to contribute their suggestions. This engagement reflects NASA’s commitment to not only advance space exploration but also to include the public in its endeavors, making them feel part of the journey into the cosmos.
