Image Courtesy: NASA
Astronauts aboard Artemis II shared an emotional moment during their historic journey as they proposed naming a lunar crater in honor of mission commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman. The tribute came shortly after the crew broke the record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth.
During a live communication with mission control, astronaut Jeremy Hansen described the significance of the gesture, noting that the proposed crater lies near the boundary between the Moon’s near side and far side. The crew suggested the name “Carroll” in memory of Wiseman’s wife, who died in 2020, according to Astronomy.com.
The announcement was followed by a brief silence from mission control before the proposal was acknowledged. Broadcast footage showed the crew embracing Wiseman after the moment, reflecting the personal significance of the tribute amid the mission’s technical achievements.
In addition to the proposed “Carroll” crater, the crew also suggested naming another lunar feature “Integrity,” after the Orion spacecraft carrying them through the mission. Both names are currently informal and will require approval from the International Astronomical Union, which oversees official naming of celestial features.
The proposed location of the Carroll crater has been identified based on the crew’s description as a bright feature northwest of Glushko Crater and at a similar latitude to Ohm Crater. The site had not previously been assigned an official name in existing lunar maps.
The gesture echoes earlier traditions from the Apollo era, when astronauts informally suggested names for lunar features during missions. Some of these proposals have taken decades to receive formal recognition.
The moment highlights the human dimension of space exploration, where personal experiences and emotions intersect with scientific discovery and historic milestones. While Artemis II is primarily a test mission aimed at validating systems for future lunar landings, it has also provided opportunities for symbolic and personal expressions by its crew.
As the mission continues, the proposed names will be reviewed through established international processes. If approved, they would become part of the official lunar nomenclature used by scientists and space agencies worldwide.