The Artemis II crew has made history by travelling the furthest distance from Earth, but they are also focused on personal matters, such as naming lunar craters. They have proposed naming one crater after their spacecraft, Integrity, and another crater after Carroll, the late wife of mission commander Reid Wiseman.
Wiseman’s wife, Carroll, passed away from cancer in May 2020, shortly before the death of Reid’s mother. During the mission, crew member Heremy Hansen emotionally suggested naming a crater in honour of Carroll. The crew members were visibly moved and embraced one another inside the spacecraft.
Carroll Wiseman dedicated her career to healthcare, working as a nurse in various settings, including a children’s hospital. Her commitment to helping others was highlighted in a NASA biography of her husband. After losing Carroll and his mother, Reid Wiseman had to prepare his two daughters for life without him as he embarked on the Artemis II mission.
The mission’s historic launch took place on April 1, and Reid’s daughters and father were present to witness the moment. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is responsible for naming craters, but they did not provide immediate comments on the proposed names. NASA explained that lunar features are generally named after notable individuals, and some craters may bear names suggested by astronauts during their missions.
The command centre on Earth acknowledged the naming suggestions with a moment of silence, stating, “Integrity and Carroll Crater. Loud and clear. Thank you.”
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