Public can submit names to fly aboard Orion spacecraft via “Send Your Name with Artemis II” campaign.
Four astronauts, including Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, will orbit the Moon for 10 days.
Mission will test systems crucial for future Moon landings and Mars exploration.
NASA is inviting people from around the world to be part of its upcoming Artemis II mission, the first crewed test flight of its Moon program, for free. While only four astronauts will actually travel, the public can send their names along for the ride.
SurveyThe agency has launched a campaign called “Send Your Name with Artemis II”, where anyone can sign up before January 21. All submitted names will be stored on an SD card and placed inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft, which will launch on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
Alongside the names, four astronauts will make the journey: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Over a period of about 10 days, the crew will orbit the Moon and return to Earth, testing key systems that will make future deep space exploration possible.
“Artemis II is a key test flight in our effort to return humans to the Moon’s surface and build toward future missions to Mars,” said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator at NASA. She added that it’s also a way to inspire people around the world to follow humanity’s next big steps in space.
Anyone who signs up will also get a digital boarding pass with their name on it—a fun keepsake to mark their “participation” in the mission. Registration is available in both English and Spanish. Those willing to register in English can go to go.nasa.gov/artemisnames, and for Spanish, registration can be done at go.nasa.gov/TuNombreArtemis.
Artemis II mission launch timeline
Scheduled for an April 2026 launch, Artemis II will be the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis program. It will mark an important step toward returning astronauts to the Moon’s surface. The mission will help test navigation, communication, and life-support systems that will eventually be used for longer journeys, including the first human missions to Mars.
Follow Us
Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
