Washington D.C.: In a move that opens the door for global public participation in space exploration, NASA is offering people around the world a chance to send their names on a historic lunar mission.
As part of its tradition of involving the public in landmark missions, NASA is inviting individuals to submit their names to be included on the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight under the Artemis program. The mission is scheduled for launch in early 2026, and your name could symbolically accompany the astronauts around the Moon.
Names submitted will be stored on a digital memory card that will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft, which will be launched atop the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. These names will serve as a digital record of international participation and unity in space exploration.
NASA’s message is simple: “Artemis II is going to the Moon and your name can go too.” The initiative aims to inspire global interest and symbolic involvement in humanity’s return to deep space after more than five decades.
About the Artemis II Mission
Artemis II will mark the first crewed mission of the Artemis program and the first time humans will travel beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo missions. The crew includes:
Reid Wiseman (NASA)
Victor Glover (NASA)
Christina Koch (NASA)
Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency)
These astronauts will not land on the Moon but will orbit it aboard the Orion capsule, testing advanced life support systems and validating capabilities for future lunar missions. It will be the first time humans travel further than any crewed spacecraft has ever gone in over half a century.
Though the crew will remain in lunar orbit during Artemis II, the mission is a crucial stepping stone toward Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts near the Moon’s south pole later this decade. These missions are also essential in preparing astronauts for future challenges, including possible missions to Mars.
How to Participate
To be part of this historic journey:
Submit your name through NASA’s official platform for the Artemis Name Submission campaign.
Your name will be digitally preserved as part of a global legacy of space exploration.
This symbolic opportunity represents a new era where space is for everyone, not just astronauts. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of going to the Moon – this might be the next best thing.
