Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal

Crew that circled the Moon in April receives NASA’s highest award in Houston ceremony

U.S. President Donald J. Trump will award the Congressional Space Medal to NASA’s Artemis II crew in a ceremony scheduled for August 28. The event will honor the team’s historic journey around the Moon in April, marking humanity’s return to lunar orbit after more than five decades.

Award Ceremony in Houston

The medal presentation will take place in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 28. The venue is NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will attend alongside the president and astronauts to honor the occasion. In addition to collective media coverage, limited press accreditation is available, with registration closing at 5 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, August 25.

Historic Lunar Circumnavigation

The Artemis II crew completed a 10‑day mission around the Moon on April 10. This flight was a historic test, marking the first time astronauts traveled aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The team became the first humans to venture beyond the Moon in over 50 years, traveling farther in space than any human before them and setting a new distance record for crewed space exploration.

Artemis II Team Composition

The awardees consist of four astronauts from the United States and Canada. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch are joined by Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Together, they formed the first crew to pilot Orion, demonstrating the system’s capability for long‑duration and long‑range missions.

Official Government Recognition

The Congressional Space Medal is a high‑distinction award presented by the U.S. President. Honoring the Artemis II crew underscores the mission’s significance for the resumption of crewed lunar exploration. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s presence at the ceremony reinforces the agency’s institutional support for this achievement. The Houston event will serve as a highlight to celebrate the technical and human success of Artemis II.

Significance of the Test Flight

The Artemis II flight was not merely a tourist trip but a critical test of the Orion spacecraft. By traveling farther than humans have ever gone, the mission validated essential systems for future lunar landings. The achievement of venturing beyond the Moon after more than 50 years signals the restoration of deep‑space exploration capabilities for the United States and its international partners, such as Canada, represented by Jeremy Hansen.

Information from NASA (.gov).