Phi Beta Sigma’s Victor Glover Set to Make History as First Black Astronaut to Reach the Moon

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. member Victor Glover is set to make history as part of NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission, becoming the first Black astronaut to travel to the Moon.

Scheduled to launch Wednesday, Artemis II will be NASA’s first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since 1972, marking a major milestone in space exploration. Glover will serve as the pilot on the mission, joining a four-person crew on an approximately week-long journey beyond low-Earth orbit.

A Southern California native, Glover was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and made history in 2020 as the first Black astronaut to serve on a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. He is a life member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., initiated into the Omicron Pi Chapter at California Polytechnic State University. Most recently, he also served as the Honorary Chair for Phi Beta Sigma’s Conclave in Houston, continuing his active engagement and leadership within the brotherhood.

“It’s been more than a half-century since astronauts journeyed to the Moon,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “That’s about to change.”

Now, Glover is positioned to once again make history, representing both the future of space exploration and the legacy of Black excellence.

At Watch The Yard, we are proud to celebrate Brother Glover and all that he represents. We look forward to watching him make history and continuing to uplift moments like this that inspire the culture and the next generation.