Dec. 14, 2020 – NASA has selected 18 astronauts from its corps to form the Artemis Team. They will help pave the way for the next astronaut missions on and around the Moon. The missions are part of NASA’s Artemis program. NASA made the announcement on Dec. 9, 2020.
Vice President Mike Pence introduced some members of the Artemis Team Wednesday. The announcement coincided with the eighth National Space Council meeting at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“I give you the heroes who will carry us to the Moon and beyond – the Artemis Generation,” Vice President Mike Pence said. “It is amazing to think that the next man and first woman on the Moon are among the names that we just read. The Artemis Team astronauts are the future of American space exploration – and that future is bright.”
According to NASA, its modern lunar exploration program will land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024. It will also establish a sustainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade.
NASA will announce flight assignments for Artemis Team astronauts at a later date. Additional astronauts, including international partner astronauts, will join this group, as needed.
Quote from Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator
“We are incredibly grateful for the president and vice president’s support of the Artemis program, as well as the bipartisan support for all of NASA’s science, aeronautics research, technology development, and human exploration goals,” Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, said. “As a result, we’re excited to share this next step in exploration – naming the Artemis Team of astronauts who will lead the way, which includes the first woman and next man to walk on the lunar surface.”
Artemis missions will begin next year. NASA will work with their commercial partners to 1) develop human landing systems, 2) assist in the development of training, 3) define hardware requirements, and 4) consult on technical development. They also will engage the public and industry on the Artemis program and NASA’s exploration plans.
Quote from Pat Forrester, Chief Astronaut
“There is so much exciting work ahead of us as we return to the moon, and it will take the entire astronaut corps to make that happen,” Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester said. “Walking on the lunar surface would be a dream come true for any one of us, and any part we can play in making that happen is an honor. I am proud of this particular group of men and women and know that any of them would do an outstanding job representing NASA and the United States on a future Artemis mission.”
Astronaut Raja Chari
Raja Chari is one of the 18 astronauts just named to NASA’s Artemis Team. Redwood Learn interviewed Raja Chari in 2017. Raja was raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He received a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering and a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics.
2017 Redwood Learn phone interview
Redwood Learn interviewed Raja in May 2017 when he was named to NASA’s astronaut corps. Raja had applied to NASA once before to become an astronaut but was not accepted. His message to students is that failure is part of life but the most important part of failure is learning from it. He decided to try a second time to become an astronaut.
After a 15-month application process, Raja was notified in late May 2017 that he was selected one of 12 new astronaut candidates. In May 2017, Raja was serving as Commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron and he was the Director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base (California). As of May 2017, he had accumulated more than 2,000 hours of flight time in the F-35, F-15, F-16, and the F-18 airplanes. He flew combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in support of the Korean Peninsula, according to NASA.
During the 2017 phone interview, Raja said when he received the call in late May from NASA notifying him of his selection, he had someone in his office. He had to remain calm while hearing the good news. He said he was bursting with excitement on the inside.
He reported for duty in Houston in August 2017. All astronauts train at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Raja said he was very excited to be able to collaborate with his fellow classmates as well as NASA’s many scientists and engineers.
To meet the other 17 Artemis astronauts, visit NASA.