For the first time in more than 50 years, humans are heading back toward the Moon—and this time, history is coming with them.
Victor Glover is set to become the first Black astronaut—and the first person of color—to travel beyond low-Earth orbit as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission.
The 49-year-old Southern California native will serve as pilot on the 10-day mission, scheduled to launch at 6:24 p.m. EDT today, April 1, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Scroll down to watch the launch … Live!
If successful, the mission will mark humanity’s first return to the Moon’s vicinity since Apollo 17 in 1972—ending a more than five-decade gap in deep space exploration.
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The Artemis II Mission
The four astronauts strapping into the Orion spacecraft—named Integrity—aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket include:
– Commander Reid Wiseman (NASA)
– Pilot Victor Glover (NASA) — first person of color to fly beyond low-Earth orbit
– Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA) — first woman to fly beyond low-Earth orbit
– Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency) — first non-American to fly beyond low-Earth orbit
The mission profile will send the crew on a trajectory that loops around the Moon before returning to Earth. While Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface, it serves as a critical test flight, validating the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft’s life support systems with humans aboard. This paves the way for future Artemis missions that will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.
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Victor Glover’s Journey to History
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, Glover has spent years preparing for this moment. In 2020–2021, he became the first Black astronaut to complete a long-duration stay on the International Space Station, spending 168 days aboard the Crew-1 mission. A U.S. Navy test pilot and former wrestler, Glover has frequently spoken about the importance of representation in space exploration.
Ahead of today’s launch, Glover shared that he is carrying personal items for his family, including a Bible and heirlooms for his daughters. He has described the Artemis II mission as belonging to “everyone,” emphasizing that space exploration should reflect the diversity of America.
“This mission is for all of us,” Glover said in a pre-launch interview. “When you look at that crew, you see America. You see the world. And that’s exactly what exploration should look like.”
A New Era of Lunar Exploration
Artemis II represents a turning point for NASA and human spaceflight. The 10-day journey will take the crew farther from Earth than any humans have traveled in half a century. The mission not only tests the hardware that will carry astronauts to the lunar surface but also demonstrates NASA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the astronaut corps.
For many, Glover’s role as pilot carries deep significance. His achievement follows in the footsteps of trailblazers like Guion Bluford, the first Black astronaut in space, and Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space. If today’s launch proceeds as scheduled, Glover will become the first person of color to venture beyond low-Earth orbit—a milestone poised to inspire generations to come.
What to Expect Today
As of this writing, NASA has begun fueling the SLS rocket, and the team is currently “go” for launch with no major technical issues reported. Weather conditions are expected to cooperate for the 6:24 p.m. EDT target. Live coverage is available on NASA TV and multiple streaming platforms.
Following launch, the Artemis II crew will spend approximately 10 days in space, testing systems and collecting data before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Future Artemis missions aim to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, including the Artemis III lunar landing, which will mark the first time a woman and a person of color set foot on the lunar surface.
For @eurweb readers: Victor Glover is poised to become the first Black astronaut to fly around the Moon. What does this moment mean for representation in space exploration? Share your thoughts below.
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