The Artemis II crew's salaries might be lower than you expect The Artemis II crew, comprising astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, has successfully completed its historic mission and is now returning to Earth. The crew broke records by traveling the farthest distance from Earth, orbiting the far side of the moon. They are expected to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07 p.m. on Friday, April 10. Despite the mission’s groundbreaking nature and the immense risks involved, the astronauts’ salaries remain consistent with those of many lower-profile NASA personnel. NASA’s pay structure for astronauts is based on a standardized scale, with annual salaries for 2024 reported at around $152,258. This figure may have increased slightly over the past two years to reflect adjustments in pay schedules, but it remains unchanged whether astronauts are on Earth or in space. They do not receive additional compensation for overtime or for participating in missions. This salary range is comparable to other high-skilled professions, such as optometrists, software engineering managers, and podiatrists, which also require extensive training but do not involve the same level of personal risk as space travel. Canadian astronauts, including Jeremy Hansen, reportedly earn salaries within a similar range. In 2023, the Canadian Space Agency disclosed that astronauts’ salaries range from $97,100 to $189,600, with the higher end reserved for those who have completed space missions. Hansen, who is making his first journey into space and is the first Canadian to join a moon mission, is likely earning in line with his crewmates. The mission’s significance was highlighted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a call with the crew.#artemis_ii #reid_wiseman #victor_glover #christina_koch #jeremy_hansen
Artemis II Crew Breaks Human Spaceflight Distance Record During Lunar Flyby On April 6, 2026, NASA’s Artemis II mission achieved a historic milestone as the Orion spacecraft approached the far side of the Moon during its lunar flyby. The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, set a new record for the farthest distance traveled by humans from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970. The spacecraft reached an altitude of approximately 4,070 miles during its closest approach to the Moon, allowing for detailed scientific observations. The lunar flyby, which lasted about seven hours, provided the crew with an opportunity to study the Moon’s surface from multiple angles. The science team in mission control, including NASA’s lunar science officer, coordinated with the crew to prioritize targets such as the Orientale basin, a 600-mile-wide crater that straddles the Moon’s near and far sides. Formed 3.8 billion years ago, Orientale retains clear evidence of its origin from a massive impact, offering valuable insights into lunar geology. The crew also focused on the Hertzsprung basin, a 400-mile-wide crater on the far side, which provides a contrast to Orientale due to its degraded features from subsequent impacts. By comparing these two basins, scientists aim to understand how lunar landscapes evolve over geological timescales. During the flyby, the crew conducted a series of observations, sharing color nuances and other details that helped refine the science team’s understanding of the Moon’s mineral composition and surface age. The crew reported shades of browns and blues visible to the naked eye, which could indicate specific mineral deposits.#nasa #reid_wiseman #victor_glover #christina_koch #jeremy_hansen
Meet the four astronauts set to voyage around the Moon The four astronauts selected for the Artemis 2 Moon mission will be the first to travel there in more than five decades. They will become the new faces of American space exploration, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space program. The crew includes Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with their Canadian colleague Jeremy Hansen. The mission is scheduled to launch as early as April 1, with the journey lasting approximately 10 days. The astronauts will travel in a loop around the Moon but will not land on its surface. The crew represents a historic shift from the Apollo era, which saw the first and only humans to reach the Moon. This mission includes the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non-American to embark on such a journey. Each astronaut brings a unique background and personal story to the mission. Reid Wiseman, 50, will serve as the mission’s commander. A former US Navy officer, he joined NASA in 2009 after a 27-year career in the military. Wiseman’s path to becoming an astronaut was unexpected; he described it as an “unobtainable dream” until his selection in 2014. He spent 165 days aboard the International Space Station and later became NASA’s chief of the astronaut office. Wiseman’s personal life includes raising his two daughters alone after his wife passed away from cancer in 2020. He has shared his intention to be transparent with his children about the risks of his career, ensuring they understand the potential outcomes of his journey. Victor Glover, 49, will act as the pilot of the Orion spacecraft. A Navy veteran and father of four daughters, Glover was working as a legislative advisor in the US Senate when NASA selected him in 2013.#reid_wiseman #artemis_2 #victor_glover #christina_koch #jeremy_hansen
