Two Asian American astronauts join the team heading to the moon

NASA

The 18 astronauts aiming for the moon.

NASA has selected 18 astronauts from its corps to form the Artemis Team and help pave the way for the next astronaut missions on and around the Moon as part of the Artemis program.

Among the astronauts chosen for his mission are two Asian Americans: Air Force Col. Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari and Navy Seal Jonny Kim. They were among the NASA graduates who have successfully completed their over two years of basic astronaut training in 2019.

Two members of this team are expected to become the first American man and woman to return to the moon since 1972. The first Artemis mission – an uncrewed test mission known as Artemis 1 – is still expected to launch in November 2021. The Artemis program aims to carry humans back to the moon and eventually onwards to Mars.

Vice President Mike Pence introduced the 18 members of the Artemis Team last week (Dec. 9) during the eighth National Space Council meeting at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“I give you the heroes who will carry us to the Moon and beyond – the Artemis Generation,” said Vice President Mike Pence. “It is amazing to think that the next man and first woman on the Moon are among the names that we just read. The Artemis Team astronauts are the future of American space exploration – and that future is bright."

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The agency’s modern lunar exploration program will land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024 and establish a sustainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade.

Although 2024 is the target year for mankind to once again set foot on the moon, that deadline, set by the Trump administration, may be difficult to meet because funding has not been approved by Congress.

“We are in the midst of negotiating to get that lander funded,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told the Space Council during an update on the Artemis program. “This has to be generational in nature, which means strong bipartisan support is necessary.

“But ultimately, if we don’t get the (requested) $3.3 billion, it gets more and more difficult. … If there’s anything you can do to help with the $3.3 billion, we are certainly asking for that.”

NASA will announce flight assignments for astronauts later, pulling from the Artemis Team. Additional Artemis Team members, including international partner astronauts, will join this group, as needed.

“We are incredibly grateful for the president and vice president’s support of the Artemis program, as well as the bipartisan support for all of NASA’s science, aeronautics research, technology development, and human exploration goals,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “As a result, we’re excited to share this next step in exploration – naming the Artemis Team of astronauts who will lead the way, which includes the first woman and next man to walk on the lunar surface.”

The astronauts of the Artemis Team will help NASA prepare for the coming Artemis missions, which begin next year working with the agency’s commercial partners as they develop human landing systems; assisting in the development of training; defining hardware requirements; and consulting on technical development. They also will engage the public and industry on the Artemis program and NASA’s exploration plans.

The Artemis astronauts come from a diverse range of backgrounds, expertise, and experience. 

As the son of immigrants, The 33-year old Kim, who is also a medical doctor, wants to "inspire the next generation of children who don't have the confidence, to dream, like I did."

Test pilot Chari, 44, is also looking forward to help youngsters achieve their dream. "Newton talks about standing on the shoulders of giants ... I'm definitely not a giant, but if I can throw out a stepping stone out there, that would be my goal."