Artemis II Crew to Fly Orion to the Moon
▼ Summary
– NASA’s Artemis II crew named their Orion spacecraft “Integrity” during a news conference at Johnson Space Center.
– The crew chose the name to reflect their mission and define their success, emphasizing bringing together the world and the workforce.
– Historically, spacecraft names have been used to distinguish vehicles and engage the public, from the Apollo program to SpaceX’s Dragon.
– The naming process involved the entire crew and their backups, who considered a wide variety of ideas including phrases, mantras, and geography.
– Commander Reid Wiseman noted that each crew member had their own preferred names, but they ultimately selected “Integrity” as a unifying choice.
The upcoming Artemis II mission will mark humanity’s first crewed lunar flight in over five decades, with the astronauts set to travel aboard the Orion spacecraft named Integrity. NASA introduced the name during a recent press briefing held at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Mission Commander Reid Wiseman explained that the crew felt it was essential to give their vessel a meaningful identity, describing the journey as a “magical mission” that deserved a name reflecting its significance.
This tradition of naming spacecraft has deep roots in NASA’s history. During the Apollo era, crews selected distinct names for both the command module and the lunar module, especially since these vehicles operated independently during missions. Over time, as spacecraft like the Space Shuttle orbiters and SpaceX’s Dragon capsules became reusable, naming helped personalize each vehicle and capture public imagination. For Artemis II, Wiseman emphasized the desire for a name that not only symbolized their mission’s purpose but also embodied the spirit of their collective effort. He noted that the mission represents a global collaboration, uniting a dedicated workforce and a remarkable spacecraft.
Selecting the name was a thoughtful and inclusive process for the entire crew. While preparing for their scheduled 2026 launch, Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, along with backup crew members Andre Douglas and Jenny Gibbons, gathered in the same facility where they will eventually quarantine. It was there that they ultimately decided on Integrity. According to Koch, the brainstorming sessions were wide open, with suggestions ranging from lighthearted nicknames and meaningful phrases to geographic references and personal mantras. Wiseman recalled that each crew member had their own favorites, creating a lively and democratic selection process.
(Source: Ars Technica)
