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Astronauts Propose Moon Crater Names in Emotional Tribute
7 Apr
Summary
- Crew honored Wiseman's late wife by proposing to name a moon crater Carroll.
- Astronauts also proposed naming a second crater Integrity after their spacecraft.
- The mission's closest approach to the moon occurred on April 6.
On April 6, the crew of a NASA mission achieved their closest approach to the moon, circling its far side. During this 10-day spaceflight, Commander Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch observed the lunar surface. As they prepared for a communication blackout, the astronauts proposed naming two previously unnamed craters.
One proposed name, Carroll, is in honor of Wiseman's late wife, who passed away in 2020. This emotional tribute brought tears to the eyes of the crew members. The crater is situated near the moon's near side boundary. The astronauts also chose to name a second crater Integrity, after their Orion spacecraft, also known as Integrity.
Before this poignant moment, Wiseman received a surprise when he learned his family was watching. The crew has been training together since 2023. The spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10. The communication blackout, caused by the moon blocking radio signals, is expected to last between 40 and 50 minutes.
