President Donald Trump on Friday bestowed the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on the Artemis II crew during a ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The crew, comprised of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, recently completed a historic mission around the Moon in April, traveling farther into deep space than any humans before.
During the event, Trump signed an executive order establishing the U.S. Space Academy, a new national institution intended to train personnel for the U.S. Space Force, NASA, and the civilian spaceflight industry. "It will serve both the United States Space Force as well as NASA and the civilian spaceflight industry, and it'll attract, train and graduate the very best of our nation," Trump stated. The location for the academy is expected to be announced soon.
Wiseman, the commander of the Artemis II mission, accepted his medal and spoke about the collaborative effort involved. "We wear these four medals, and we are going to wear them with pride. But please know, it is not pride for ourselves that we feel, and I truly mean that," he said. "It is pride for the grit that our families had when we left this planet. It is pride for that team, this NASA team, that sent us on this mission. And it is pride for the international community that stood alongside us, got this vehicle ready, operated and cheered us on."
Glover, the mission pilot, presented Trump with an official NASA flight jacket. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also addressed the attendees, praising the Artemis II crew for their contributions and for paving the way for future space exploration. "You stand here incredibly deserving of this recognition. Thank you for showing us the moon again, for showing the world your humanity and for passing your knowledge and the baton to the astronauts who will follow in your very accomplished footsteps," Isaacman said.
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor, authorized by Congress in 1969, is awarded to astronauts who distinguish themselves through exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the nation and mankind. The Artemis II crew is now among the 34 astronauts to have received this honor since its inception.