The pilot of the Artemis II mission to the moon is a committed Christian and Sunday school teacher. Victor Glover, who is a member of a US Protestant congregation known as the Church of Christ, has taken a Bible with him among his personal items.

Ahead of the first manned mission to the moon in 50 years, the NASA astronaut said : “We need Jesus—whether here on Earth or orbiting the Moon.”

During a six-month mission to the International Space Station five years ago he also packed his Bible along with communion cups. At the time he said he would be taking part in “virtual service, virtual giving, reading my Bible and praying”.

Speaking to the Christian Chronicle in 2023, Glover who has spent nearly 30 years in the military, said his career was built on a foundation of faith.

“My career is fed by my faith, and you know, anytime I do something that’s pretty risky, I pray — before I fly, every time I fly. I fly airplanes a few times a week. Definitely when you go sit on top of a rocket ship.

“In the military, there’s a saying that there are no atheists in foxholes. There aren’t any on top of rockets, either.”

Speaking ahead of the launch of Artemis II, Glover said: “I pray that God will bless this mission. But I also pray that we can continue to serve as a source of inspiration, for cooperation and peace, not just between nations but in our own nation”.

Glover is accompanied on Artemis II by Jeremy Hansen who brought four moon pendants which have been worn by his wife and children, Reid Wiseman who chose a notepad and pencil to record his thoughts while looking at the moon and Earth and Christina Koch who packed messages from her loved ones.

Artemis II is set to travel further into space than ever before on its 10 day mission.