Tribute to Artemis II: Humanity Returns to the Vicinity of the Moonby FPDieulois :: 2026-04-17
Honoring Christina Koch and the Touching Tribute to Carroll WisemanIn April 2026,
NASA’s Artemis II mission marked a historic milestone:
the 1st crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Aboard the Orion spacecraft, four astronauts — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen
embarked on a daring 10-day journey that took them farther from Earth than any humans since the Apollo era.
This mission is not just a technical test flight. It is a powerful symbol of progress, resilience, and human connection.
Christina Koch: The First Woman to Journey Around the Moon
Christina Koch made history as the first woman to fly beyond low-Earth orbit and circumnavigate the Moon.
A veteran astronaut with a record-breaking 328-day stay aboard the ISS (2019–2020), including the first all-female spacewalk with Jessica Meir,
Koch brought unparalleled experience and calm leadership to Artemis II.
During the mission, as the crew passed behind the Moon and lost communication with Earth for about 40 minutes,
Koch’s voice was the first heard upon re-establishing contact:
"It is so great to hear from Earth again."
Her presence aboard Artemis II represents decades of advocacy for women in space.
From her long-duration record to her role in this lunar flyby, Christina Koch continues to inspire generations,
proving that the future of deep-space exploration is inclusive and diverse.
A Poignant Tribute: Carroll Crater – Named for Reid Wiseman’s Late WifeOne of the most emotional moments of the mission occurred during the lunar flyby.
As the crew observed the Moon’s surface, they requested to name two previously unnamed craters.
One was named Integrity, after their Orion spacecraft.
The second, a bright feature in a striking location, was named Carroll
in honor of Carroll Wiseman, the late wife of Commander Reid Wiseman.
Carroll Taylor Wiseman, a dedicated nurse and mother of two daughters (Katherine and Ellie), passed away in 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.
During the emotional radio call to Mission Control, Jeremy Hansen spoke on behalf of the crew, his voice breaking with emotion.
Reid Wiseman, visibly moved, wept as his crewmates embraced him.
This spontaneous tribute transformed a scientific mission into a deeply human one
a husband flying past the Moon and naming a crater after the love of his life who could not be there to see it.
It was a beautiful reminder that exploration is not only about reaching new worlds,
but also about carrying our loved ones with us.
A New Chapter for HumanityArtemis II successfully tested the Orion spacecraft’s systems for future lunar landings,
paving the way for Artemis III (the first crewed lunar landing since 1972) and eventual Mars missions.
The crew’s journey — breaking distance records, witnessing the far side of the Moon, and experiencing a solar eclipse from space
brought back awe and wonder to space exploration.
To Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen: thank you for carrying humanity’s dreams — and memories — into the cosmos.
The Moon is no longer just a destination. It is becoming a place of personal stories, tributes, and shared human legacy.
Welcome home, Artemis II crew. The stars — and now a crater named Carroll — shine brighter because of you.
< B > My Personal Blog < B > List of all my Blog posts < B >
Article generated & inserted in SQL tables by AIs
FREDDY FRANCE Blog personnel
(c)FPe COPYRIGHT @FPDIEULOIS 2026