NASA’s groundbreaking Artemis II mission to the Moon is not only set to achieve historic milestones but also carries a deeply moving personal story. Commander Reid Wiseman, a seasoned astronaut, has chosen to immortalize his late wife’s name on Earth’s natural satellite.
Aboard the state-of-the-art Orion spacecraft, the Artemis II mission embarked on a challenging 10-day journey designed to orbit the Moon. During this historic voyage, Commander Wiseman, alongside pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and fellow mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, successfully observed the lunar surface from orbit, gaining unprecedented new perspectives.
Working in close collaboration with NASA’s science teams on Earth, the four-person crew meticulously identified several previously unnamed lunar craters. In a profoundly touching revelation on Monday, April 6th, the Artemis II astronauts announced their intention to name one of these newly identified craters “Carroll,” in honor of Reid Wiseman’s beloved wife, Carroll Wiseman, who tragically passed away in 2020.
“Years ago, we embarked on this mission’s journey,” Jeremy Hansen shared with the ground crew in a video released by NASA’s official Instagram account. He added with palpable emotion, “Within our tightly-knit astronaut family, we lost a truly cherished member.”
Hansen further explained that the designated crater is situated on a particularly striking part of the lunar surface. Its strategic position means that, during specific lunar cycles, the “Carroll” crater will actually be visible from Earth, a poignant connection to home.
“We want to name this crater Carroll,” Jeremy announced, his voice cracking with emotion. He was immediately embraced by Commander Wiseman, and soon Victor Glover and Christina Koch joined the embrace, sharing a heartfelt moment that resonated with deep sentiment.
While the name “Carroll Crater” has captured hearts, its official designation awaits formal approval. NASA confirmed that following the successful completion of the Artemis II mission, the U.S. space agency will formally submit a proposal to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the global authority responsible for celestial object nomenclature.
Carroll Wiseman, Reid’s devoted wife, tragically passed away on May 17, 2020, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. While the specific type of cancer was not publicly disclosed by the family, her passing left Reid to raise their two children, Katie and Ellie, as a single father.
Throughout her life, Carroll dedicated herself to caring for others. She began her career as a compassionate neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, nurturing the most vulnerable newborns. Later, she relocated to Houston, Texas, to support Reid’s burgeoning career at NASA, where she continued her invaluable work as a school nurse.
According to NPR, when Carroll first received her cancer diagnosis, Reid, ever supportive, offered to move their family closer to relatives in Virginia and Maryland. However, Carroll steadfastly declined, prioritizing Reid’s crucial work at NASA and ensuring he could remain fully focused on his professional commitments.
Three years after Carroll’s passing, in 2023, Reid Wiseman was chosen to command the Artemis II mission – a monumental undertaking representing the first crewed flight to the Moon in 56 years. Reid revealed that, through this mission, he profoundly felt he was carrying his wife’s enduring legacy with him.
“It feels like I’m carrying her with me, continuing the journey we shared for 17 years,” Reid Wiseman told The Times in 2025. “I honor her memory every single day, every minute.”
The four intrepid Artemis II astronauts successfully splashed down on Earth on Friday, April 10th, U.S. afternoon time. The Orion capsule gracefully descended into the Pacific Ocean, precisely in the San Diego, California, area, concluding their epic 10-day journey orbiting the Moon. In doing so, the crew officially shattered the record for the farthest space journey ever undertaken by humanity.
Summary
Commander Reid Wiseman dari misi Artemis II NASA telah menamai sebuah kawah bulan yang baru teridentifikasi dengan nama “Carroll”, sebagai penghormatan kepada mendiang istrinya, Carroll Wiseman. Misi bersejarah ini merupakan penerbangan berawak pertama ke Bulan dalam 56 tahun, di mana Wiseman bersama pilot Victor Glover serta spesialis misi Christina Koch dan Jeremy Hansen mengidentifikasi beberapa kawah yang belum bernama. Pengumuman penamaan kawah “Carroll” ini masih menunggu persetujuan resmi dari International Astronomical Union (IAU). Kawah tersebut juga istimewanya dapat terlihat dari Bumi pada siklus bulan tertentu.
Carroll Wiseman meninggal dunia pada tahun 2020 setelah berjuang melawan kanker selama lima tahun, meninggalkan Reid untuk membesarkan kedua anak mereka. Sepanjang hidupnya, Carroll dikenal sebagai perawat yang berdedikasi dan selalu mendukung karier Reid di NASA. Reid mengungkapkan bahwa melalui misi ini, ia merasa membawa warisan istrinya bersamanya. Para astronaut Artemis II berhasil mendarat di Bumi pada 10 April, menyelesaikan perjalanan 10 hari mereka mengorbit Bulan dan memecahkan rekor perjalanan antariksa terjauh yang pernah dilakukan manusia.