Since I was a little girl, I've always had a bit of a fascination with space and what more can be learned about our planet, the solar system, the universe, the probable existence of other life forms, etc. It's probably something I got from my dad, who was a big believer that UFOs were real, and who would have really enjoyed listening to people like GOP Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02) speak on the subject.
My earliest memory as an impressionable young lady in terms of watching launches was the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger launch in 1986, the 40th anniversary of which was in January. As many will recall, there was a lot of buildup to it at the time on the news, and there was discussion of it in the classroom. All I could think about was how brave the astronauts had to be to go on these missions, considering the risks involved once the spacecraft took off.
So, like many, I watched the Artemis II launch last Wednesday with excitement, keeping the crew in my thoughts and prayers for a safe, successful mission, which it looks like they've had so far.
.@POTUS asks the Artemis II crew, "What is the most unforgettable part of this really historic day?"
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 7, 2026
Commander Reid Wiseman: "We saw sights... that no human has ever seen before — not even in Apollo." pic.twitter.com/f3ThoGm91e
READ MORE: Artemis II Releases Stunning Photos of Dark Side of Moon Never Seen Before by Human Eyes
One of the Artemis II astronauts we've been hearing a lot about is Reid Wiseman, who is the commander of the mission. He has a seriously impressive resume, which starts out like this: "Reid Wiseman is a 27-year Navy veteran, a pilot, a father, an engineer, and a Baltimore native." The "Awards/Honors" section reads like this:
Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Air Medal with Combat V (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, various other campaign and service awards.
Wiseman's wife, Carroll, who was a pediatric nurse practitioner, passed away in 2020 at the age of 46 after a brave five-year battle with cancer. As RedState reported, a special and emotional dedication was done in Carroll Wiseman's memory on Monday aboard the Orion spacecraft:
In an emotional moment broadcast live from the Orion spacecraft, the Artemis II crew chose to name a Moon crater “Carroll" after commander Reid Wiseman's wife, who died of cancer in 2020.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 6, 2026
“It's a bright spot on the Moon. And we would like to call it Carroll." pic.twitter.com/3p220FdaV7
The Wisemans were married for 17 years and had two daughters, Ellie (20) and Katherine (17). Here's a 2014 photo of the four of them together:
Not every day you can get your wife in a spacesuit for a family selfie! Compliments to our kids for the photobomb!! pic.twitter.com/aPWammMTYY
— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) May 14, 2014
Wiseman, 50, has talked in the past about being a single dad and how it is the most challenging yet rewarding part of his life. And knowing the risks associated with his profession, he's also shown his daughters where his will is:
He has not shielded his children from the realities of risk, however. While out on a walk with them, he said: "Here's where the will is, here's where the trust documents are, and if anything happens to me, here's what's going to happen to you… That's part of this life."
Shortly before liftoff, he and his two girls shared some precious quality time:
“Dad, we can’t leave the rocket without a .5 together!!” I love these two ladies, and I’m boarding that rocket a very proud father. pic.twitter.com/N6NKNaeUXF
— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) March 31, 2026
Reid Wiseman sending his daughters 🫶 pic.twitter.com/m0MOBzo9W4
— Natalie F Danelishen (@Chesschick01) April 6, 2026
His daughters also snuck cookies into his luggage.
Though Wiseman has been a good role model for all Americans, his most important job of all has been to love and care for his daughters and to set a worthy, honorable example for them, all of which he's done admirably:
Be Reid Wiseman
— Jess Fields (@jessalanfields) April 7, 2026
He’s a hardworking single father of two girls whose wife passed from cancer 6 years ago, and his daughters supported his becoming one of the farthest-travelled human beings in history as Artemis II mission commander
This man is a great example for fathers pic.twitter.com/g48GeyWKRH
Amen to that.
Please remember to keep the crew in your prayers for a safe journey back home.
We anticipate that the Orion spacecraft has now departed the lunar sphere of influence — this is when the gravitational pull of the Moon is stronger than the gravitational pull of Earth.
— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 7, 2026
The Artemis II crew are headed home. Splashdown will take place on Friday, April 10. pic.twitter.com/uZC3YZf45N
