The mission was the first lunar venture in over 50 years, following NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972
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NEED TO KNOW
- The Artemis II crew was honored for their historic mission, marking the farthest humans have traveled from Earth
- This mission was the first lunar venture since NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972, more than 50 years ago
- Artemis II tested technology for future lunar landings, paving the way for upcoming missions
Nearly five months after making history with their adventure around the far side of the moon and back, the crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission has been recognized with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
President Donald Trump awarded the honor to commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and mission specialist and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on Friday, Aug. 28.
Congress authorized the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1969 to “recognize an astronaut who, in the performance of duties, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally brave and meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the nation and humanity,” according to NASA.
Credit: Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty
Past recipients include the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia, who received the award posthumously.
The crew of Artemis II made history in more ways than one. It was NASA’s first moon expedition since Apollo 17 in 1972, more than 50 years ago.
The Artemis II crew also surpassed the record previously held by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970 for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth.
The Apollo 13 crew traveled 248,655 miles from Earth during their mission, while Artemis II traveled 252,760 miles.
Although Artemis II did not touch down on the moon, the mission tested technology for future lunar landings and deeper space exploration, including Mars.
Credit: NASA via Getty
“Artemis II is the opening act. It’s a test mission. No humans have ever flown on that rocket before,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told NBC News in March 2026. “Our four astronauts will go out, put the spacecraft through its paces.”
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Artemis II launched on April 1 and circled the moon on April 6, before journeying back to Earth and splashing down on April 10.
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