Victor Glover Makes History: First Black Astronaut to Orbit Moon

Get ready for a monumental moment in space exploration! NASA astronaut Victor Glover is poised to become the first Black individual to journey around the Moon. This incredible feat is part of the ambitious Artemis II mission, which aims to send humans back to lunar orbit for the first time since 1972.

The Artemis II Crew Takes Flight

The Artemis II crew, consisting of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, launched on April 1, 2026, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This mission isn’t just about a lunar flyby; it’s a crucial step towards future Moon landings and even the ambitious goal of sending astronauts to Mars.

Victor Glover, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran with extensive flight experience and four spacewalks under his belt, is piloting the spacecraft. This mission builds on his previous historic achievement as the first Black man to travel to the International Space Station in 2020.

Breaking Barriers and Setting Records

Glover isn’t the only one making history on this crew. Christina Koch is set to become the first woman to orbit the Moon, and Jeremy Hansen will be the first Canadian and non-U.S. citizen to undertake such a journey. The mission is also projected to set a distance record, traveling approximately 252,000 miles from Earth.

Glover shared his hopes that their mission will serve as an example of unity and excellence, proving that success in space exploration comes from diverse backgrounds and experiences. He emphasized the importance of crew cohesion, stating, “It really takes us all, in all of our skills, to successfully go to the moon and come back.”

A Mission for the Future

The Artemis II mission is expected to last about 10 days. During this time, the crew will fly past the Moon, collecting vital data to support future exploration efforts. The mission will conclude with a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean, marking another successful step in humanity’s return to the Moon.