NASA invites the public to submit their names for a historic journey to the Moon aboard the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight of the Artemis program.
NASA is gearing up for its next lunar mission, Artemis II, which aims to send astronauts farther than any crew has traveled before. The mission is set to launch as early as February 6, 2026, with additional launch windows available throughout February, March, and April.
The Artemis II crew will consist of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission will mark the first human lunar flyby since 1972, taking the crew on a 10-day journey around the Moon.
“This historic mission will send humans farther from Earth than ever before and deliver the insights needed for us to return to the Moon — all with America at the helm,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Those who register will receive a digital boarding pass as a keepsake, and their names will be included on an SD card that will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft during the mission.
On social media platform X, NASA announced, “1.5 million names are flying around the Moon on Artemis II. Is yours one of them? It’s not too late to add your name to the mission—and it’s absolutely free.” Participants can submit their names in either English or Spanish.
Robert Pearlman, a space collectibles expert and editor of the website collectSPACE, commented, “This is one way for the public to feel like they’re a little closer to the mission than just being spectators.” Everyone who enters their name will be able to download a collectible boarding pass to commemorate their participation in the mission.
NASA often provides similar opportunities for its missions. Pearlman noted that names are currently aboard the Perseverance rover on Mars, the Parker Solar Probe near the sun, and the Europa Clipper mission en route to Jupiter’s moon Europa.
The Artemis II mission is a crucial part of NASA’s broader plan to resume deep-space exploration. The previous Artemis I flight in 2022 successfully sent an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to the Moon and back. If all goes well and sufficient funding is secured, NASA hopes to launch a third mission that would send astronauts to the Moon’s surface for an extended stay, potentially as early as 2027.
For more information on how to submit your name for the Artemis II mission, visit NASA’s official website.
According to The American Bazaar.