# NASA's Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor
President Donald J. Trump presented the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the four astronauts selected for NASA's Artemis II lunar mission on August 28, 2026. The recipients include NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Reid Wiseman, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor represents the highest civilian award for space exploration achievement. Congress authorized this decoration to recognize individuals whose contributions advance the nation's space program and inspire public support for exploration. The award underscores the diplomatic and scientific scope of Artemis II, which will carry international crew members back to lunar orbit.
Artemis II serves as the second crewed test flight of NASA's Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. The mission builds directly on Artemis I, an uncrewed flight test conducted in November 2022 that validated hardware and procedures for human spaceflight. Artemis II will fly a crew around the Moon without landing, testing life support systems, navigation capabilities, and emergency procedures in the deep space environment. This mission prepares NASA and its partners for Artemis III, which will land astronauts on the lunar south pole region.
Victor Glover brings experience from multiple Space Shuttle missions and International Space Station expeditions. His selection as pilot for Artemis II represents a continuation of his deep involvement in human spaceflight operations. Christina Koch previously served as flight engineer on ISS Expedition 59-60, logging 328 days in orbit. Her expertise in long-duration spaceflight directly applies to the mission profile of circum-lunar flight. Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis II, accumulated extensive experience during his own ISS missions and serves as one of NASA's most experienced spacewalkers.
Jeremy Hansen's inclusion marks a historic moment for Canada's space program. As a CSA mission specialist, Hansen becomes the first Canadian to travel beyond low Earth orbit. His participation reflects the deepened space partnership between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, establishing a model for international collaboration on lunar exploration objectives.
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor recognition occurs during ongoing preparations for Artemis II launch, initially targeted for late 2025 but subject to the standard testing and verification timelines that govern human spaceflight programs. The mission duration extends approximately 10 days, with the crew experiencing the radiation environment of cislunar space and conducting extensive Earth observations and lunar observations from orbit.
The award ceremony itself emphasizes the political and public dimensions of Artemis. The White House presentation signals federal commitment to the Moon-to-Mars exploration architecture. Artemis represents the successor to Apollo, incorporating lessons from 50 years of spaceflight advancement, modern propulsion systems, and expanded international participation. The program targets sustained lunar presence by establishing the Gateway lunar outpost and deploying advanced surface systems.
Recognition of the Artemis II crew validates their preparation for one of the most demanding human spaceflight missions. These astronauts will operate at distances exceeding 250,000 miles from Earth, traveling faster than any humans since Apollo. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor positions them alongside the legacy of space explorers while the actual mission still lies ahead.