NASA Invites You to Join Artemis II Moon Mission in 2026

NASA is offering a unique opportunity for individuals to have their names sent around the moon aboard the upcoming Artemis II mission, scheduled for April 2026. This initiative is part of a broader effort to inspire global interest in space exploration, as well as to pave the way for future missions to Mars.

The Artemis II mission will feature a crew of four astronauts: Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, along with Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover from NASA. Unlike previous missions, the objective of this flight is to perform a flyby of the moon rather than landing on its surface. NASA aims to use the Artemis program as a stepping stone for more ambitious goals, including potential human presence on Mars.

In a statement regarding the mission, Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator of NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, emphasized the importance of this flight. She noted, “This flight is also an opportunity to inspire people across the globe and to give them an opportunity to follow along as we lead the way in human exploration deeper into space.”

NASA’s Artemis program is structured in four phases, with Artemis I already completed. This initial mission involved the successful launch and return of the Orion spacecraft, which flew beyond the moon without any crew. Artemis II represents the next critical phase, allowing astronauts to gather valuable data and experience for future deep-space missions.

Participants can register to have their names included on a special SD card that will accompany the spacecraft. As of now, 490,450 names have already been submitted through the “Send Your Name with Artemis II” program, which remains open until January 21, 2026. To join this endeavor, individuals can visit NASA’s Artemis II Sign Up page, where they will be prompted to enter their first and last names, along with a unique PIN code.

Once registered, participants can view their boarding pass, which confirms their name’s inclusion in this historic mission. The boarding pass will detail the mission crew, including the roles of the astronauts and the extensive journey of approximately 685,000 miles that the Artemis II mission will cover.

The Artemis program signifies a significant leap forward in humanity’s exploration of space. Following Artemis II, the initiative aims to establish a lunar space station, which will serve as a critical platform for future exploration of Mars and beyond. By reaching out to the public in this way, NASA not only highlights its ongoing commitment to space exploration but also fosters a sense of collective participation in humanity’s quest to explore the cosmos.