The Artemis II astronauts, during their record-breaking lunar flyby, proposed naming a moon crater 'Carroll' in honor of their commander Reid Wiseman's late wife, who died of cancer in 2020. The crew also suggested naming another crater 'Integrity,' after their spacecraft. The emotional moment was broadcast live by NASA, with the astronauts visibly moved as they embraced in space.
Core Facts
The four-person crew—Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—spotted unnamed craters during their flyby. Hansen proposed the names, describing Carroll as a 'loved one' lost by the astronaut family. The crater is located on the boundary between the moon's near and far sides and is visible from Earth during certain lunar transits.
Deeper Context
The proposal will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for approval after the mission. The Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972, has surpassed the distance record set by Apollo 13. Wiseman, a single father, has been raising his two daughters since Carroll's passing.
Official Response
NASA confirmed the crew's proposal, stating it will be reviewed by the IAU. The agency shared the moment on social media, emphasizing the personal significance of the tribute. The mission continues as planned, with the crew on their return journey to Earth.