After the successful completion of Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, attention has now turned to the next giant leap in lunar exploration. The Artemis II crew, comprising Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, helped pave the way for humanity’s return to the lunar surface. Building on the lessons and achievements of Artemis II, NASA has unveiled the four astronauts who will fly on Artemis III, the mission expected to land humans on the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew brings together decades of spaceflight experience, military leadership, engineering expertise and international cooperation as they prepare for one of the most historic missions of the 21st century.
Read about: NASA Artemis Moon Mission: All You Need To Know
Artemis III Moon Mission: Meet the Crew!
Randy Bresnik: The veteran commander leading the Artemis III mission
Age: 58
Role: Commander
Astronaut experience: 22 years
Randy Bresnik is one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts. Before joining NASA, he served as a Marine Corps fighter pilot and graduated from the prestigious TOPGUN programme. Over his aviation career, he logged more than 6,000 flight hours.
Bresnik has spent about five months in space across two missions. He first flew aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009 and later commanded the International Space Station in 2017. His extensive leadership experience and years of spaceflight make him a natural choice to lead Artemis III as it attempts one of the most ambitious missions of the modern space age.
Luca Parmitano: Italy’s pioneering space explorer
Age: 49
Role: Pilot
Astronaut experience: 17 years
Luca Parmitano represents the European Space Agency and has become one of Europe’s most accomplished astronauts. Before entering the astronaut corps, he served as a Colonel and test pilot in the Italian Air Force.
Parmitano has spent roughly one year in space across two long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station in 2013 and 2019. He also made history by becoming the first Italian astronaut to command the ISS. His international experience and expertise in operating spacecraft systems will be crucial as pilot of the Artemis III mission.
Read about: Artemis II Mission: Timeline Of The Journey Around The Moon
Frank Rubio: The record-breaking Artemis III mission specialist
Age: 50
Role: Mission specialist
Astronaut experience: 9 years
Frank Rubio is best known for setting a remarkable American spaceflight record. During his mission aboard the International Space Station from 2022 to 2023, he spent 371 consecutive days in space, the longest single spaceflight ever completed by a US astronaut.
Before joining NASA, Rubio served as a US Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot and later worked as a military family physician. His unique combination of operational, medical, and spaceflight experience makes him an important member of the Artemis III crew as astronauts prepare for extended exploration missions beyond Earth.
Andre Douglas: The rookie astronaut ready for his first flight
Age: 40
Role: Mission specialist
Astronaut experience: 5 years
Andre Douglas will be making his first journey into space on Artemis III. Although he has not yet flown in space, he has already played a key role in NASA’s Artemis programme.
Before becoming an astronaut, Douglas worked as a US Coast Guard naval engineer. He later served as the official backup crew member for Artemis II, the mission that will send astronauts around the Moon before Artemis III attempts a lunar landing. His engineering expertise and preparation within the Artemis programme have helped earn him a place on this historic crew.
Why is Artemis III important?
Artemis III is expected to mark humanity’s return to the lunar surface more than five decades after the Apollo era. The mission will help scientists study the Moon in greater detail, test new technologies, and prepare for future human exploration of Mars.
The crew brings together decades of experience, international collaboration, and a new generation of explorers. Their journey could help shape the future of space exploration for years to come.
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