NASA has officially launched its first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years, with Artemis II lifting off on April 1, 2026. The historic flight marks a major milestone in NASA’s return to the moon and echoes the path of the Apollo 8 mission from 1968, with a 10-day journey designed to circle the moon and return safely to Earth.

Among the crew members is Victor Glover, a devoted Christian who has openly shared his faith throughout his space missions. In 2020, Glover was part of a SpaceX crew that launched to the International Space Station (ISS), where he spent 168 days in orbit. At the time of that mission, he shared his plans to remain spiritually grounded even while in space.

“I actually sent up communion cups and a Bible, and we have really good internet connectivity. So honestly, I will probably continue in what we’ve been doing: virtual service, virtual giving, reading my Bible and praying,” he told the Christian Chronicle.

Glover has consistently spoken about how his faith shapes both his life and his work. He shared that God had entrusted him not only with his mission in space but also with his role as a husband and father.

“God assigned me a few really important things: this life, this vessel, but also my wife and that relationship, the two of us becoming one and then the family that we’ve grown with our four daughters,” he said.

While aboard the ISS, Glover often reflected on God’s creation, sharing photos and Scripture with his followers. In one Instagram post featuring a sunrise from orbit, he wrote, “Took these photos today. I love sunrises and sunsets. Can you see the bands of color? They remind me of the scripture in Psalm 30, ‘weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ It seems darkest just before sunrise. I wish you all love and light.”

After returning to Earth, Glover continued to speak publicly about his faith. In a sermon based on 2 Peter 1, he encouraged believers to pursue spiritual growth.

“No matter how long we’ve been in this, whether you’re a preacher, an elder, or a deacon, brand new in your faith walk, we all need to be growing. We have a sinful nature, and we need Jesus,” he said. “Jesus is that bridge that spans sin and gives us a chance of going to heaven.”

NASA first introduced the Artemis II crew ahead of the mission, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson describing the team as representing all of humanity.

“This is humanity’s crew,” Nelson said.

The crew includes three Americans—mission commander Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover—along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Wiseman, Koch, and Glover have all previously spent time aboard the ISS.

Following the original crew announcement, Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who made history alongside Neil Armstrong during the first moon landing, publicly congratulated the team.

“Congratulations to Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman of NASA, and Jeremy Hansen, as the NASA Artemis 2 crew,” Aldrin wrote. “This is a great honor, a proud moment for you and for the nation. Your role in carrying out America’s effort in space will be one of high inspiration!”

In the lead-up to the mission, Glover also asked for continued prayer, recognizing both the technical challenges and the personal sacrifices involved.

“Pray for our crew. Pray for the hardware. Pray for the team all around the world that supports this. And the hardest mission of all is the one our families are about to embark on. If you could pray for our families, that would be amazing,” he told Christianity Today.

If Artemis II proves successful, NASA plans to follow it with a mission that will land astronauts on the moon—continuing a new chapter of exploration more than half a century after humanity first set foot on the lunar surface.