In a poignant development during the Artemis II mission, astronaut Reid Wiseman and his crew have proposed naming a Moon crater ‘Carroll’ in honor of Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman, who passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 46. This announcement was made shortly after the crew lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026.
The crater ‘Carroll’ is located near Glushko on the Moon’s surface and will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union for approval. The Artemis II crew, which includes Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, also named another crater ‘Integrity’ after the Orion spacecraft.
During the mission, the crew surpassed the Apollo 13 milestone for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth, coming within 4,070 miles of the Moon’s surface. The crew is expected to splashdown off the coast of San Diego, California, on April 10, 2026.
Jeremy Hansen, a fellow crew member, reflected on the emotional significance of the naming, stating, “We lost a loved one. Her name was Carroll, the spouse of Reid, the mother of Katie and Ellie.” He further emphasized the importance of the name ‘Integrity’, saying it embodies the foundation of trust and respect among the crew and the many individuals involved in the mission.
The mission is not only a technical achievement but also a deeply personal journey for Wiseman, who has shared his story with the public. The naming of the crater was an emotional moment, broadcast live across NASA’s channels, highlighting the human aspect of space exploration.
As the crew continues their journey, they are set to witness a solar eclipse, adding to the mission’s significance. Following their return to Earth, the crew will undergo post-flight medical evaluations.
This mission marks a significant step in NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon and eventually prepare for future missions to Mars. The naming of the crater ‘Carroll’ serves as a reminder of the personal sacrifices made by astronauts and their families in the pursuit of exploration.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline of events during the mission, but the crew’s achievements thus far have garnered widespread attention and support.
As the Artemis II mission progresses, the legacy of Carroll Taylor Wiseman will be honored on the lunar surface, symbolizing both love and the spirit of exploration.
