Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman announced that a lunar crater on the far side of the Moon has been named "Carroll" [1].
The gesture marks a rare personal tribute within the technical framework of lunar exploration. By naming a celestial feature after his late wife, Wiseman connects the high-stakes mission of the Artemis program to a legacy of care and service on Earth.
Carroll Wiseman worked as a registered nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit, where she focused on helping others [1]. She died of cancer in 2020 [2].
During a media event in Houston, Texas, Wiseman discussed the significance of the tribute [2]. "We wanted to honor Carroll’s memory by naming a crater after her," Wiseman said [1]. He described the site's appearance, saying, "It’s the brightest thing over there" [3].
The naming process was discussed across several public forums in April 2026, including a media interaction on April 16 [3]. While some reports initially described the effort as a suggestion by the astronauts [2], other accounts confirmed the naming of the crater [3].
Wiseman noted that the crew felt a strong desire to ensure his wife's memory was preserved as they returned to the lunar surface. "We’d like to name a crater ‘Carroll’ in her honor," Wiseman said [2].
“"We wanted to honor Carroll’s memory by naming a crater after her."”
The naming of lunar features is typically a formal process managed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This personal dedication by an active mission commander highlights the emotional weight carried by astronauts during long-duration spaceflight and the increasing trend of humanizing the Artemis missions as they aim to establish a permanent presence on the Moon.
