NASA has scheduled a series of public events this week to introduce its 2025 astronaut candidate class and provide comprehensive updates on the upcoming Artemis 2 mission. The events, which will be streamed live, include the astronaut selection announcement, detailed mission briefings, and a news conference with the crew slated to fly around the moon.
Key Takeaways
- NASA will introduce its 2025 astronaut candidate class on Monday, September 22.
- Two detailed briefings on the Artemis 2 mission's operations and science goals are set for Tuesday, September 23.
- The four-person crew of Artemis 2 will hold a public news conference on Wednesday, September 24.
- The Artemis 2 mission, planned for early 2026, will be the first crewed flight to the vicinity of the moon in over 50 years.
A New Generation of Space Explorers
The week's events begin on Monday, September 22, at 12:30 p.m. EDT, with a ceremony to announce NASA's newest astronaut candidates. This group represents the 2025 class, selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 8,000 applicants.
Once selected, these candidates will begin a rigorous two-year training program. This foundational training covers a wide range of skills necessary for spaceflight, including spacewalking, robotics, and spacecraft systems operation. Upon successful completion, they will become eligible for assignment to future space missions.
Future Mission Assignments
Graduates of the astronaut training program could be assigned to various missions, including long-duration stays on the International Space Station (ISS), lunar missions as part of the Artemis program, or potentially the first human missions to Mars.
Detailed Briefings on Artemis 2 Mission
On Tuesday, September 23, NASA will shift its focus to the Artemis 2 mission, which is set to be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft. The agency has scheduled two separate briefings to cover different aspects of the historic flight.
Mission Overview and Operations
The first briefing, scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT, will provide a comprehensive overview of the mission's operational plan. A panel of key mission leaders will discuss the launch, flight trajectory, and ground systems support.
Participants in this briefing include:
- Lakiesha Hawkins, acting deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
- Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director
- Judd Frieling, lead Artemis 2 ascent flight director
- Jeff Radigan, lead Artemis 2 flight director
- Rick Henfling, lead Artemis 2 entry flight director
- Daniel Florez, test director, Exploration Ground Systems
Science and Technology Objectives
Following the operational overview, a second briefing at 12 p.m. EDT will detail the science and technology goals for Artemis 2. This session will explore the research objectives and technological demonstrations planned during the lunar flyby mission.
The speakers for the science briefing are:
- Matt Ramsey, Artemis 2 mission manager
- Debbie Korth, deputy Orion Program manager
- Jacob Bleacher, manager for Science, Technology Utilization, and Integration
- Mark Clampin, acting deputy associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate
The Artemis 2 mission is currently scheduled to launch in early 2026. It will send four astronauts on a flight path that will take them around the far side of the moon before returning to Earth, paving the way for future lunar landings.
Meet the Crew of Artemis 2
The week of announcements will conclude on Wednesday, September 24, at 10 a.m. EDT with a news conference featuring the four astronauts assigned to the Artemis 2 mission. The crew will be available to answer questions about their training and preparations for their upcoming journey to the moon.
The Artemis 2 crew represents a collaboration between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
"This mission will test the capabilities of the Orion spacecraft and its life support systems on a crewed flight, a critical step before we attempt to land humans on the lunar surface again," a NASA official previously stated about the mission's importance.
The Assigned Astronauts
The four crew members for this historic flight are:
- Reid Wiseman (NASA): Commander
- Victor Glover (NASA): Pilot
- Christina Koch (NASA): Mission Specialist
- Jeremy Hansen (CSA): Mission Specialist
This mission will mark the first time a non-American astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, will travel beyond low-Earth orbit. It also marks the first time a woman, Christina Koch, will be part of a lunar mission crew. All four astronauts bring extensive experience from previous spaceflights and military careers.
How to Watch the Events
All three days of events will be broadcast live on NASA's official television channel, the NASA app, and the agency's website. The live streams provide an opportunity for the public to follow these significant milestones in human space exploration as they happen.
The announcements and briefings are part of NASA's broader effort to return humans to the moon under the Artemis program. The program aims to establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface and use the experience gained to prepare for future missions to Mars.