5 Women Working on Artemis II
- 11th Feb 2026
- Author: Chloe Hopkinson
When Artemis II lifts off, it will carry more than just a spacecraft to the Moon. The mission marks a critical step in humanity’s return to the Moon, and behind that milestone are women who have helped design the spacecraft, shape the mission architecture, manage risk, and push Artemis forward when the challenges were hardest. Some have been building toward this moment for years, whilst others are shaping what comes next. Together, these women represent the present and future of space exploration.
In this series, I will spotlight a handful of the women working on Artemis II - who are they, what do they do, and why does their work matter? Their stories remind us that returning to the Moon isn’t just a technological achievement, it’s a human one.
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![Christina Koch]()
NASA Christina Koch
- Mission Specialist Astronaut
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, Christina Koch has redefined what is possible for human spaceflight. During her time as a flight engineer aboard Expeditions 59, 60 and 61 aboard the International Space Station, she spent an extraordinary 328 days in space - the longest single spaceflight every accomplished by a woman. In 2019, alongside Jessica Meir, made history as part of the first all-female spacewalk. Now, Koch will carry her legacy forward as a Mission Specialist on Artemis II, where she will play a critical role in crew safety, emergency response, and supporting the ultimate mission to journey back to the Moon.
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![Charlie Blackwell Thompson]()
NASA Charlie Blackwell-Thompson
- Launch Director
Charlie Blackwell-Thompson made history as NASA’s first-ever female launch director, leading the Exploration Ground Systems Program at Kennedy Space Center. She commanded the historic first test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, Artemis I, guiding the mission all the way to launch. Leading a 91-person team, Blackwell-Thompson is the one who makes the final call, delivering the electrifying “GO!” that sends a mission into the sky and beyond. Now, she’s gearing up to relive that moment once again as Artemis II moves closer to launch over the next few months.
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![Laura Poliah]()
NASA Laura Poliah
- Lander Ground Operations Expert
Laura Poliah is part of the Lander Ground Operations team at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where precision and preparation are integrated into everything. Previously, she served as a lead test engineer for the Orion spacecraft, overseeing rigorous testing across the crew module, service module, and launch abort system. These tests are vital in proving that Orion can survive the extreme journey to space and back, and, above all, keep its astronauts safe. Building on the success of Artemis I, Poliah and her team were already deep into testing for Artemis II and Artemis III as they help pave the way for humanity’s return to the Moon.
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![Vanessa Wyche]()
NASA Vanessa Wyche
- Director of Johnson Space Center
Vanessa Wyche serves as the director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, placing her at the core of the agency’s human spaceflight efforts. She oversees everything from spacecraft development, including Orion, to astronaut selection and training, as well as the iconic mission control room. Home to NASA’s astronaut corps and central to programs such as the International Space Station, Orion, and the Lunar Gateway, the Johnson Space Center is where exploration becomes reality - a reality that Wyche takes command of. As NASA prepares to transition from the ISS in 2030, Wyche is leading the charge by guiding missions that will return humans to the Moon with Artemis, and laying the foundation for future journeys to Mars.
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![Erica Sandoval]()
NASA Erica Sandoval
- Orion Launch Abort System Manager
Erica Sandoval is the program manager for Orion’s Launch Abort System - one of the most critical safety systems in the Artemis missions! Designed to protect astronauts in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during lift-off, the abort system can rapidly eject the crew away from the SLS and return them safely to Earth via parachute and land in the ocean. Sandoval and her team carry the immense responsibility of ensuring this system meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and technical excellence, because when seconds matter most, there is no room for error.
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![Artemis Goddess]()
Public Domain Artemis
- Goddess of the Moon
I cannot discuss the women working on Artemis without giving mention to the namesake herself. In ancient Greek mythology, Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo, is the goddess of the hunt, the wild, and the Moon itself. NASA’s choice of her name for humanity’s return to the lunar surface is no coincidence. Her name has been revived to represent humanity's next giant step - a step that is powered by cutting-edge science, innovative technology, and the brilliant brains of a team of women.
As Artemis II prepares to leave Earth, it does so because of the strength of countless decisions, tests, and moments of leadership made long before the rocket ever reaches the launch pad. The women highlighted here are only a glimpse of the talent powering the Artemis program. Their work is shaping a new era of exploration, one where women are no longer hidden figures, but central to humanity’s path back to the Moon and beyond.
These inspirational women show that space exploration is not just about where we are going, but who gets to help lead the way to the Moon and beyond.
Read last year's blog that celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science:
5 Pioneering Women in Science You Should Know About
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
Full Credits / References:
(Banner image) Artemis II Space Launch System, Credit: NASA
(1) Christina Koch, Credit: NASA
(2) Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Credit: NASA
(3) Laura Poliah, Credit: NASA
(4) Vanessa Wyche, Credit: NASA
(5) Erica Sandoval, Credit: NASA
(6) Artemis Goddess, Credit: Public Domain
