NASA has made a public invitation for its upcoming Artemis II mission, and it’s easy to understand. People from all over the world can send in their names to be on board the Orion spacecraft as it goes around the Moon. NASA says that the names will be saved on a digital memory card that will be put inside Orion before it launches. You can send in your entries until January 21, 2026, and the whole process takes place on NASA’s official website.Artemis II is set to be the first mission to the Moon with people on board in more than 50 years. It will take four astronauts into lunar orbit, which is the first time people have gone beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA has set up the name submission initiative as a way for the public to get involved in this historic flight. The mission itself is mostly about testing spacecraft systems and deep-space operations. Everyone who sends in a name gets a digital boarding pass as proof.NASA has said that it is in charge of all the information related to this project, such as how to submit and who is eligible. There is no cost to join, and the program is open to everyone. NASA has done similar things before, like sending names to places like Mars. However, Artemis II is different because it will have a crewed mission orbiting the Moon.
What is the NASA Artemis II mission and why it matters
The Artemis II mission is the second big flight in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to send people back to the Moon and keep them there for a long time. Artemis I, which flew in 2022, tested the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft without any people on board. Artemis II builds on that by adding a crew and checking the systems that are needed for long-term human spaceflight.NASA says that Artemis II will test life support systems, crew operations, navigation, communications, and safety procedures in deep space. The mission will send Orion on a path that takes it around the Moon and back to Earth. The information from this flight will help get ready for Artemis III, which will have a crewed landing on the Moon.NASA has said that the Artemis II launch vehicle and spacecraft are still being put together and tested at Kennedy Space Center. These steps show that the mission is moving forward, and public engagement activities are still going on at the same time.
Send you name around the Moon (Image source: NASA)
NASA Artemis II name submission around the moon explained
People can send in their names to the NASA Artemis II name submission program, and those names will be stored on a digital storage device that will be flown on Orion. NASA has said that the names will be written to an SD card that will stay inside the spacecraft for the whole trip to the moon.After submitting their name, participants can get a digital boarding pass with their name and the Artemis II mission branding. NASA describes this as a commemorative item rather than an official travel document. The boarding pass does not provide access to facilities or events, and it does not imply any role in mission operations.NASA has emphasised that the submission does not affect the mission’s scientific or technical objectives. The Orion spacecraft will carry out all planned tests regardless of the number of names submitted.
How to send your name around the Moon on NASA’s Artemis II flight
NASA has outlined clear steps for participation through its official website. The process is as follows:
- Visit NASA’s official “Send Your Name” Artemis II webpage.
- Select the Artemis II mission from the available options.
- Enter your first and last name in the online form.
- Please give a valid email address so we can confirm.
- Pick the language you want to use. The form is available in both English and Spanish from NASA right now.
- Send in the form by January 21, 2026.
- After you submit your information, download and save the digital boarding pass.
NASA says that people can only sign up through the official site. NASA does not allow third-party websites to collect names on its behalf.
Sign up to send you name around the Moon (Image source: NASA)
NASA public engagement through Artemis missions
NASA has been running public engagement programs linked to big missions for a long time. Mars missions, like the Perseverance rover, have had name submission campaigns like this one. NASA has said that these efforts are meant to help people connect with important moments in exploration using tools that are easy to use.In the case of Artemis II, the campaign fits with a mission that combines sending people into space and getting people to participate symbolically. The names will fly around the Moon with the crew, and Orion will collect important information for future missions.NASA sees the name submission as a digital payload that doesn’t change the spacecraft’s mass, balance, or operations in any way. The project is run separately from planning missions and training astronauts.