Phi Beta Sigma brother Victor Glover is making history as the first Black man to be sent to the Moon by NASA. Glover, who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, will serve as the pilot for the Artemis II mission, which will fly four astronauts around the Moon during an approximately week-long flight.

The Artemis II mission will be the first time that humans have left low-Earth orbit since December 1972, at the conclusion of the Apollo 17 mission. “It’s been more than a half-century since astronauts journeyed to the Moon,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said Monday. “That’s about to change.”

Glover, a test pilot who flew on the first operational Crew Dragon flight, will be joined by Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Hammock Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. They will work as a team to execute an ambitious set of demonstrations during the flight test.

The flight, set to build upon the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission completed in December, will set the stage for the first woman and first person of color on the Moon through the Artemis program, paving the way for long-term human exploration missions to the Moon, and eventually Mars. This is the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach.

“For the first time in more than 50 years, these individuals – the Artemis II crew – will be the first humans to fly to the vicinity of the Moon. Among the crew are the first woman, first person of color, and first Canadian on a lunar mission, and all four astronauts will represent the best of humanity as they explore for the benefit of all,” said Director Vanessa Wyche, NASA Johnson.

Glover’s background is impressive, with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science. Glover is a Naval Aviator and was a test pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler. He and his family have been stationed in many locations in the United States and Japan and he has deployed in combat and peacetime.

The approximately 10-day Artemis II flight test will launch on the agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket, prove the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems, and validate the capabilities and techniques needed for humans to live and work in deep space.

Glover’s Phi Beta Sigma fraternity brothers are sure to be proud of his accomplishments as he represents the best of humanity during this historic mission.

We at Watch The Yard would like to wish Victor J. Glover Jr. a safe and successful trip to and stay in outer space.

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