Trump awards Congressional Space Medal of Honor to Artemis II astronauts

President Donald Trump honored the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission by presenting them with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. The ceremony recognized their historic achievement in completing the first crewed flyby around the Moon in more than half a century.

During the event held at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Trump addressed the astronauts, stating, "Today we proudly award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the remarkable crew of Artemis II. Join me in congratulating Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen."

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor is the highest distinction bestowed by the U.S. government upon astronauts, scientists, or aviation personnel for their exceptional contributions to the space program. This award underscores the significance of the Artemis II mission and the dedication of its crew.

The Artemis II mission, which took place in April, marked a significant milestone in human space exploration. It served as a precursor to future lunar missions, paving the way for sustained human presence on the Moon and eventual missions to Mars. The crew's successful journey around the Moon demonstrated advancements in spacecraft technology and human spaceflight capabilities.

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Today we proudly award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the remarkable crew of Artemis II. Join me in congratulating Commander Reid Wiseman, the pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.