NASA Chooses 2 LA County Men For Moon Mission

LOS ANGELES, CA — Two Los Angeles County men are among of three Southland residents chosen to be the first 18 astronauts of NASA'a Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. If the mission succeeds, Pomona native Victor Glover would be the first African American to set foot on the moon.

NASA announced Wednesday the selection Wednesday and Vice President Mike Pence introduced the members of the Artemis team 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," Pence said. "It is amazing to think that the next man and first woman on the Moon are among the names ... The Artemis team astronauts are the future of American space exploration -- and that future is bright."

NASA is looking to determine if there can be a sustainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade. The experience would prepare mankind for the next giant leap: sending astronauts to Mars.

The agency's modern lunar exploration program will include establishing a sustainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade. NASA officials said they will use what's learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: sending astronauts to Mars.

Artemis team members from Southern California include:

-- Jonny Kim, of Los Angeles, who came to NASA as part of the 2017 astronaut class. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy following high school. He became a Navy SEAL before earning his commission and going back to school to pursue a bachelor's degree in mathematics, followed by a doctor of medicine. He graduated from Santa Monica High School.

-- Glover, who was selected as an astronaut in 2013. The U.S. Navy Commander earned a bachelor's degree in general engineering and master's degrees in flight test engineering, systems engineering, and military operational art and science. He piloted the Crew-1 Dragon Resilience and is currently serving as an Expedition 64 flight engineer aboard the International Space Station; and

-- Joseph Acaba, of Anaheim, who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004. He has spent 306 days in space and performed three spacewalks. He holds a bachelor's degree in geology, as well as master's degrees in geology and education. Before coming to NASA, Acaba taught high school science and middle school math and science.

NASA will announce flight assignments for astronauts later. Additional Artemis team members, including international partner astronauts, will join the 18-member 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," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said. "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 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.

"There is so much exciting work ahead of us as we return to the Moon, and it will take the entire astronaut corps to make that happen," Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester said. "Walking on the lunar surface would be a dream come true for any one of us, and any part we can play in making that happen is an honor. I am proud of this particular group of men and women and know that any of them would do an outstanding job representing NASA and the United States on a future Artemis mission."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.