La NASA has launched a free initiative which allows anyone to submit their name to the Moon as part of the next mission Artemis IIAlthough the journey is symbolic, the proposal is attracting worldwide attention because it brings space exploration closer to the general public in a simple and rather curious way.
Using a Online registration available until January 21The agency will store millions of names on a memory device that will travel inside the spacecraft. OrionIn this way, those who sign up will be able to say that their name has circled the Earth's natural satellite as part of the program preparing for the return of manned missions to the lunar surface.
What is the "Send your name with Artemis II" campaign?
The proposal, dubbed "Send your name with Artemis II", is part of the outreach activities with which the National Aeronautics and Space Administration It seeks to involve the public in its upcoming flights to the Moon. This is not a raffle or a contest: Anyone can sign up for free and without any special requirements beyond filling out a short form.
As the agency itself explained, the Participant names will be saved on a memory card or USB drive who will travel inside the Orion capsule, integrated into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocketThis symbolic memento will accompany the four astronauts of Artemis II for approximately [duration missing]. The mission will last 10 days. around the Moon.
The campaign also has an educational objective: to awaken interest in science and technologyespecially among children and young people. For NASA, getting millions of people to feel part of the journey is an effective way to strengthen public support for its exploration programs.
Furthermore, the initiative It is not limited to citizens of the United StatesRegistration is open to people from any country, including Spain and the rest of Europe, which has turned the proposal into a kind of global invitation to be part of humanity's return to the lunar environment.
According to data published by the agency, More than one million digital boarding passes have already been generated, a figure that is expected to continue increasing as the registration deadline approaches.
How to register to have your name travel to the Moon
Signing up for the campaign is a really simple process: Everything is done through the official NASA website. Dedicated to "Send your name with Artemis II." No installation is required on your computer, nor is any complicated information needed; simply fill in some basic details.
First of all, you have to access the specific page of the initiativeAlso available in Spanish. Once inside, the system asks you to enter the name, surname and a PIN code that each person chooses. This code acts as a personal key to retrieve the registration later, so it's a good idea to write it down in a safe place.
After submitting the form, the platform automatically generates a personalized digital boarding passIt contains the participant's information, the name of the Artemis II mission, and other details of the trip. This card can be Download, save, or share on social media, and it has become the main memory of those who join the proposal.
In addition to the card, the page also offers a unit’s QR code This links to more detailed information about the mission and the Artemis program in general. It's a quick way to access educational content, animations, and explanations about what will happen during the flight around the Moon.
The only temporary requirement is to respect the deadline set by the agency: Registration will be open until January 21stAfter that day, NASA will close access in order to prepare the device that will be integrated into the spacecraft, so it is advisable not to leave it until the last minute if you want to ensure your participation.
Artemis II: the first manned flight of the Artemis program
The mission Artemis II is the next big step in the return of manned missions to the lunar environmentAfter Artemis I, which flew without astronauts to test the rocket and capsule, this new flight will carry a crew of four people who will be responsible for testing the systems in a real-world scenario.
According to the official calendar, The launch is scheduled to take place no later than the end of April 2026. from the emblematic Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39in Florida. The trip will last approximately dice dÃas and will consist of a extensive flyby of the Moon which will take the ship thousands of kilometers beyond the far side.
During the mission, the crew It will travel approximately 7.500 kilometers beyond the far side of the moon.reaching a position from which they will be able to observe both Earth and the Moon through the windows of the Orion capsule. This trajectory has been designed to maximize navigation and life support system testing.
The flight profile will follow a free return pathThat is, a route that takes advantage of the interaction of combined gravitational field of the Earth and the MoonThanks to this configuration, the spacecraft will be able to return without the need for major propulsion maneuvers, largely "letting itself be carried" by gravity to the vicinity of our planet.
If all goes according to plan, the The return to Earth will take about four additional days. and will culminate with the capsule splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego (California)There, teams from NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense will be responsible for recovering both the astronauts and the spacecraft.
Who are the astronauts of Artemis II and what role will the mission play?
Artemis II will have an international crew made up of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy HansenThe first three belong to NASA, while Hansen is an astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), which underlines the international collaborative nature of the program.
These four astronauts will be the first humans to return to lunar orbit in more than five decadesand will travel aboard the powerful SLS rocket and the capsule OrionDuring the flight, they will be responsible for verifying, under real conditions, the navigation, communications, life support and safety systems that must function perfectly in subsequent missions.
NASA believes that Artemis II is a key test flight within the program, as it will allow confirmation that all the hardware and software are ready to take the final leap: the landing of astronauts on the lunar surface in Artemis IIIThe experience and technical data gathered on this trip will be fundamental to refining the next steps.
According to agency officials, this flight represents an essential intermediate step towards the return to the Moon and, in the longer term, toward the first crewed missions to Mars. The Artemis program is not simply repeating what was done in the Apollo era, but rather seeks to establish a long-term sustainable presence in the lunar environment for scientific and exploration purposes.
After completing Artemis II, the roadmap anticipates that Orion returns to the Moon with Artemis IIIThe mission is planned to see the next astronauts walk on the lunar regolith once again. From there, the idea is to continue developing infrastructure, international partnerships, and technology to use the Moon as a platform for more distant destinations.
A global invitation to participate in space exploration
Beyond its technical component, the option of send the name to the Moon has a symbolic dimension which is generating a lot of interest on all continents. The initiative allows that anyone, wherever they live, feel that you are part of a historic mission that resumes manned journeys to the lunar environment.
For many, especially younger audiences, Download your digital boarding pass Saving the QR code is a simple way to learn about space science and engineering. Teachers, science communicators, and educational institutions across Europe are also using the campaign as a resource for explain how a modern lunar mission works and what role do projects like Artemis play in the future of exploration.
NASA emphasizes that this gesture of including millions of names on a memory card It aims to strengthen the link between society and space explorationInstead of viewing the missions as something distant and exclusive to astronauts and scientists, the idea is that each participant can feel that, even if only symbolically, they are accompanying the crew on their journey around the Moon.
The fact that the record It should be free, fast, and require no more information than name, surname, and a PIN. This has helped to attract over a million people. As the registration deadline approaches, that number is likely to continue growing with new participants from Spain, the rest of Europe, and other countries around the world.
Combining a historic manned flightAn open campaign and a simple digital keepsake are turning "Send your name with Artemis II" into one of NASA's most talked-about initiatives in recent times, an accessible gateway to space exploration for those who look to the sky and wonder what lies beyond.