The Crew of Artemis II Trivia Quiz

Answer: Reid Wiseman

Gregory Reid Wiseman was born on November 11, 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from high school, he pursued engineering through the U.S. Navy's ROTC program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1997, then later completed a Master of Science in Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in 2006. His academic background combined computing, systems thinking, and applied engineering, preparing him well for complex technical and operational environments.

After graduating from RPI, Wiseman was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer and trained as a Naval Aviator, flying the F‑14 Tomcat. He completed two combat deployments in the Middle East and was later selected for the elite U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, graduating in 2004. Serving as a test pilot and project officer, he evaluated advanced aircraft systems and flight performance, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander. This blend of combat flying, testing, and engineering experience led to his selection as a NASA astronaut in 2009.

Answer: Reid Wiseman

Reid Wiseman was married to Carroll Taylor Wiseman, a neonatal intensive care nurse, until her death from cancer in 2020. He is the father of two daughters and has spoken publicly about balancing single parenthood with the demands of astronaut training and leadership roles at NASA.

During the Artemis II mission, Wiseman's fellow astronaut Jeremy Hansen made the request that a newly discovered crater on the Moon be named after Wiseman's late wife.

Answer: Reid Wiseman

Reid Wiseman flew one prior mission in space prior to Artemis II, launching aboard Soyuz TMA‑13M in May of 2014 and serving as a flight engineer on International Space Station (ISS) Expeditions 40 and 41. He spent about 165 days in orbit, contributed to a wide range of scientific and maintenance operations, and completed two spacewalks totaling nearly 13 hours, gaining significant hands-on experience in station systems and extravehicular activity (EVA) procedures.

Answer: Reid Wiseman

Reid Wiseman was selected as Artemis II mission commander because he combined deep leadership experience with technical credibility. As a former Chief of NASA's Astronaut Office, a naval test pilot, and a veteran ISS astronaut with EVA experience, he had already overseen astronaut assignments and training pipelines. For NASA's first crewed deep-space mission in decades, Wiseman brought both command authority and institutional continuity, making him a natural choice to lead a high-risk, program-defining flight.

Answer: Victor Glover

Victor Jerome Glover Jr. was born on April 30, 1976, in Pomona, California. After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1999, followed by an exceptional set of graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering from the U.S. Air Force's Air University, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science. His academic work combined technical depth with operational planning, aligning closely with advanced aerospace and flight‑test roles.

Following his undergraduate studies, Glover was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer and became a Naval Aviator in 2001. He flew the F/A‑18 Hornet, Super Hornet, and EA‑18G Growler, completed 24 combat missions, and accumulated thousands of flight hours across more than 40 aircraft. Selected as a test pilot, he evaluated advanced aircraft systems and later achieved the rank of Captain. This blend of combat aviation, test flying, and engineering education led to his selection as a NASA astronaut in 2013.

Answer: Victor Glover

Victor Glover is married to Dionna Odom Glover, and together they have four daughters. He has frequently emphasized the role of family support in sustaining a long naval and astronaut career involving extended deployments and spaceflight.

Answer: Victor Glover

Victor Glover flew one space mission before Artemis II as the pilot of SpaceX Crew‑1, the first operational mission of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched in November of 2020. During his 168-day mission aboard the ISS as a flight engineer for Expeditions 64 and 65, he conducted research, maintained station systems, and performed four spacewalks.

Answer: Victor Glover

Victor Glover was chosen as pilot for Artemis II due to his background as a naval aviator, test pilot, and spacecraft pilot. He had already served in the same operational role on Crew‑1, flying SpaceX's Crew Dragon during its first operational mission, and later demonstrated precision spacecraft handling, systems monitoring, and EVA capability on the ISS. Artemis II's pilot role - focused on real-time vehicle control, navigation testing, and systems evaluation - closely matched Glover's flight-test and spacecraft-operations experience.

Answer: Christina Koch

Christina Koch (nee Hammock) was born on January 29, 1979, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After high school, she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics from North Carolina State University, followed by a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 2002. Her studies emphasized instrumentation, applied physics, and problem-solving in extreme environments, preparing her for technical roles in both laboratory and field science.

Before becoming an astronaut, Koch worked as an electrical engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, contributing to space-science instruments used in astrophysics missions. She later served as a research associate in the U.S. Antarctic Program, spending several years working in Antarctic and Arctic field stations, including a winter at the South Pole. This combination of advanced engineering, remote field operations, and mission support experience led to her selection as a NASA astronaut in 2013 (in the same class as Victor Glover).

Answer: Christina Koch

Christina Koch is married to Robert Koch, a geospatial engineer. They have no children and Christina has described the strong support of her spouse as essential during her long-duration International Space Station mission in 2019-20, as well as the extensive training leading up to the Artemis II mission.

Answer: Christina Koch

Christina Koch flew one very long mission prior to Artemis II on Soyuz MS‑12, arriving at the ISS in March of 2019 and remaining aboard until February of 2020. Her mission lasted a total of 328 days, setting (at the time) the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. During Expeditions 59, 60, and 61 she completed six spacewalks, including the first all-female EVAs, and built extensive experience in long-duration spaceflight and station operations.

Answer: Christina Koch

Christina Koch was assigned as Mission Specialist 1 for the Artemis II mission because her expertise lies in spacecraft systems, electrical engineering, and long-duration mission operations. With degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics, extensive work on space-science instruments at NASA, and nearly a year aboard the ISS, Koch was particularly well-suited to oversee onboard systems performance, power, avionics, and crew-system interactions during Artemis II's first deep-space flight.

Answer: Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy Roger Hansen was born in London, Ontario, on January 27, 1976. After developing an early interest in aviation as a youth with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Space Science (Honours) from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1999, followed by a Master of Science in Physics in 2000, with research focused on satellite tracking. His education emphasized space systems, physics, and operational analysis within a military framework.

After commissioning in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Hansen trained as a CF‑18 fighter pilot, serving with multiple tactical fighter squadrons and later as a Combat Operations Officer responsible for NORAD operations and Arctic missions. He rose to the rank of Colonel, gaining extensive experience in high‑performance aviation and leadership. In 2009, he was selected by the Canadian Space Agency as an astronaut, later becoming part of NASA Astronaut Group 20 for joint training.

Answer: Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy Hansen is married to Catherine Hansen, and together they have three children. A career officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Hansen has highlighted the importance of family resilience during frequent relocations, military service, and astronaut training prior to becoming the first Canadian to travel beyond low-Earth orbit.

Answer: Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy Hansen had no previous spaceflight experience before Artemis II. Although a veteran astronaut trainee with extensive work in mission control roles such as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator), along with participation in analog missions like NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) and CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behaviour and performance Skills), Artemis II marked his first space mission.

Answer: Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy Hansen's rank of Colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force reflects a parallel but distinct professional path from his Artemis II crew mates. Like Wiseman and Glover, Hansen is a career military officer and fighter pilot, but his peers are both Naval aviators.

Hansen was selected as Mission Specialist 2 for the Artemis II mission not only for his senior military leadership as a Royal Canadian Air Force Colonel, but for his strong technical and operational expertise. Trained as a space scientist and physicist, Hansen holds advanced degrees focused on satellite tracking and space systems, and he has extensive experience translating complex technical data into operational decisions.