NASA astronaut Victor Glover received significant attention online before Wednesday’s launch, particularly after conservatives shared a video of him discussing how his role in the Artemis II mission should be viewed as part of “human history” rather than merely a racial milestone.
These comments were made during a press event on March 29, in anticipation of the Artemis II mission, which aims to return astronauts to lunar orbit for the first time in many years. This mission is particularly noteworthy due to its diverse crew, featuring the first woman and the first Black astronaut to participate in a moon mission.
Glover recognized the significance of representation, but he also emphasized aspirations that extend beyond that point. “I live in a dichotomy between the happiness of young women being able to see Christina Koch physicalizing her passions… And a young brown boy or girl might look at me and think, ‘Hey, he looks like me, and what is he doing?’ And that’s awesome,” he reflected.
However, he added, “I really hope that one day we don’t have to discuss being the first of anything. I want this to be seen as simply human history.” He reiterated, “This isn’t just Black history or women’s history; it’s about the entirety of human history.”
Glover’s insights resonated widely when shared on social media by conservative figures like podcast host Brandon Tatum and Outkick’s Riley Gaines, who both praised his focus on collective human accomplishments over identity-driven milestones. Tatum remarked, “I’m a new fan of this guy. Thank you!!” and Gaines agreed, saying, “If even the pioneers reject the identity game, you know it’s time to move on.”
His thoughts mirrored the sentiments of fellow crew members, with Christina Koch noting, “If there’s anything to celebrate, it’s that we’ve reached a point where everyone has to work equally hard to realize that dream.” Jeremy Hansen echoed this, stating, “This acknowledges that anyone willing to contribute meaningfully can join in the mission.”
Moreover, Glover touched on the personal importance of launch day, detailing his scheduled preparations leading up to the event. “We wake up about eight hours prior to launch…there’s little room for personal rituals,” he shared. He also mentioned that he tries to send a letter to his family, expressing his love, before flights.
“When we step outside, our families are there waiting… It’s nice to tell them we love them in person instead of just texting,” he concluded, highlighting the value of these connections amid a structured launch day.
