NASA Invites You to Send Your Name Around the Moon in 2026

NASA is offering a unique opportunity for space enthusiasts to have their names sent on a historic mission around the moon. The initiative, part of the upcoming Artemis II mission scheduled for April 2026, allows individuals to submit their names to be included on an SD card aboard the spacecraft.

The allure of the moon has captivated humanity for centuries. It is approximately 239,000 miles away, and only twelve astronauts have walked its surface since Neil Armstrong first did so in 1969. Following the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, no one has returned to the lunar surface, leaving a gap in human exploration that NASA aims to fill with the Artemis program.

In September 2025, NASA highlighted its commitment to a “Golden Age of innovation and exploration,” with the Artemis II mission marking a significant step forward. This flight will not attempt a landing but will conduct a flyby of the moon, showcasing the agency’s advancements in space travel. The mission will be crewed by a diverse team of astronauts: Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, along with Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover from NASA.

The Artemis program is designed to pave the way for future exploration deeper into space, particularly to Mars. While the journey to the moon takes about three days, reaching Mars may take approximately three years. NASA’s strategy includes utilizing lessons learned from lunar missions to prepare for more ambitious endeavors on other planets.

NASA’s Artemis program consists of four key missions, with Artemis I successfully launching the Orion spacecraft in late 2022. Although Artemis I was an uncrewed test flight, it provided valuable data on the spacecraft’s systems and environmental conditions in space.

Following this successful mission, the Artemis II flight will carry astronauts on a journey covering around 685,000 miles. According to Lori Glaze, NASA’s acting associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, this mission is intended to inspire people worldwide and engage them in the future of human space exploration.

As part of the Artemis II program, individuals can secure their “boarding pass” by submitting their names before January 21, 2026. As of now, over 490,450 people have already registered to have their names included. This initiative allows participants to feel connected to the mission and the broader goals of space exploration.

To claim a boarding pass, interested individuals can visit NASA’s Artemis II Sign Up page. After entering their first and last names along with a unique PIN code, they will receive confirmation of their submission. NASA emphasizes the importance of keeping the PIN secure, as there is no option for recovery.

Once registered, participants can view their boarding passes by visiting the Look Up Boarding Pass page. This page provides details about the mission and the crew, which includes the aforementioned astronauts, showcasing their roles in this groundbreaking endeavor.

The Artemis program represents a significant leap towards establishing a long-term human presence on the moon and eventually on Mars. By involving the public in this mission, NASA hopes to nurture a sense of community and shared purpose in the quest for knowledge beyond our planet.