Astronaut Jessica Meir takes giant leap towards being first Jewish person to walk on Moon

She previously spoke about her identity, telling the Jewish Telegraphic Agency last year that while she is not religious, her Jewish background is “a big part” of her culture and traditions. 

Ms Meir paid tribute to her Baghdad-born father in November last year, as she tweeted pictures of Israel she took from space.

“My father's globe spanning journey as a surgeon from the Middle East, to Europe, and eventually to the U.S. was an inspiration to many in my immediate and extended family,” she wrote.

NASA’s Chief Astronaut Pat Forrester said Wednesday there remains “so much exciting work ahead” and it will require the entire astronaut corps. 

“I am proud of this particular group of men and women and know that any of them would do an outstanding job representing NASA and the United States on a future Artemis mission.”