Cape Canaveral, Fla. – NASA has named 18 astronauts – half of them women – who will train for its Artemis Moon-landing program.
The first woman on the moon and the next man will come from this elite group.
Vice President Mike Pence introduced the astronauts on Wednesday at the end of his final meeting as chairman of the National Space Council. The announcement was made at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida under just three Saturn V Moon rockets from the Apollo program of the 1960s and 1970s.
Pence noted that the last of the 12 men to walk on the moon, Commander Jean Sernan at the end of Apollo 17, wanted nothing more than to remove the “last” from his title. Karnan’s last lunar eclipse was on December 14, 1972.
“He spent the rest of his natural life advocating for America to return to the moon, and we will honor the memory of Jean Carnan,” Pence told the small crowd, sitting several feet apart.
Five astronauts – the only ones present – walking on stage, waving and wearing masks.
NASA administrator Jim Brydenstein insisted more astronauts would join the group. NASA has 47 active astronauts.
The space agency aims to land the moon by 2024, although the likelihood of that happening is increasingly slowing. The forthcoming change in administration also adds to the uncertainty.
Half of NASA astronauts have experienced spaceflight. There are currently two on the International Space Station: Kate Rubins and Victor Glover.
Last year, two astronauts on duty on the world’s first all-female spacewalk made the cut: Christina Koch and Jessica Mer.
It’s a very young group, most of them in their 30’s or 40’s. The oldest 55, the youngest 32. Only two J Aqaba and Stephanie Wilson – flew on NASA’s oldest space shuttles.
“History is wonderful, but we are here to look to the future,” Aqaba told reporters after the announcement.
Other experienced members of the list include Kegel Lindgren, McClean of Mc and Scott Tingle, all former space station residents.
“We’re dreamers, but more than that, we’re doers,” McClain said.
He wants kids from all backgrounds to take note of the different lunar teams: “The doors are open, come after us.”
So far to get into space: Kayla Baron, King Chari, Matthew Dominic, Woody Hobberg, Johnny Kim, Nicole Mann, Jasmine Mogbili, Frank Rubio and Jessica Watkins.
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