Artemis II Astronauts Propose Heartfelt Lunar Crater Names

Wed Apr 08 2026 22:08:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Artemis II astronauts honor personal connections and memories by proposing the names 'Integrity' and 'Carroll' for two newly observed lunar craters.

As they journey back from the moon, the Artemis II crew, led by Commander Reid Wiseman, has proposed naming two lunar craters 'Integrity' and 'Carroll,' the latter in memory of Wiseman's late wife. This significant gesture evokes sentiments reminiscent of the Apollo 8 mission, reflecting a more emotional and human aspect of space exploration. The request is set to be submitted to the International Astronomical Union for approval, further intertwining personal stories with the history of space travel.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II crew is bridging the past and present of space exploration with a deeply emotional gesture. While returning from their lunar journey, they have proposed to name two lunar craters after significant aspects of their mission: one in honor of their spacecraft and another to commemorate the late wife of Commander Reid Wiseman.

Wiseman, who experienced profound emotional moments during their mission, collaborated with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen to make this touching proposal. The craters they identified were selected for their brightness and visibility from Earth and represent a personal connection for the crew.

Carroll, Wiseman’s wife, was a neonatal nurse who passed away from cancer in 2020. The naming request echoes a tradition from the Apollo 8 mission when astronaut Jim Lovell named a lunar mountain after his wife. This poignant request has resonated with their team's emotional journey.

NASA lunar scientist Ryan Watkins shared the overwhelming sentiment during the naming moment: “There was not a single dry eye.” Mission Control was left momentarily speechless before confirming the names, highlighting a shift from the more stoic nature of past missions.

The proposed 'Carroll Crater' is located at the boundary between the moon's near and far sides, while 'Integrity Crater' is on the far side. This moment of personal remembrance caught the crew by surprise, with all four astronauts embracing in a group hug after the announcement.

Hansen's heartfelt declaration to Mission Control was met with understanding and acceptance, demonstrating a warmer, more human side of space exploration compared to the past missions dominated by a less emotional approach.

Following their return to Earth, the Artemis II crew plans to submit their naming proposal to the International Astronomical Union. The IAU has a history of approving such requests, with 81 astronaut-named features already recognized on the moon's surface.