NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Astronauts Awarded American Medals of Honor

NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Astronauts Awarded American Medals of Honor

NASA astronaut Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman speaks during an event to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

NASA astronaut Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch is seen during an event to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor awarded to NASA astronaut Artemis II pilot Victor Glover is seen, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen is seen during an event to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

The Artemis II crew, consisting of Candian Space Agency astronaut mission specialist Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronauts mission specialist Christina Koch, pilot Victor Glover, and commander Reid Wiseman are seen during an event to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to them on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, speaks during an event to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Artemis II Mission Emblem

In early April 2026, the Artemis II crew became the first to travel beyond the Moon in more than 50 years and traveled farther in space than humans have ever before. For their achievements, each was awarded with the United States Congressional Space Medal of Honor on Friday, August 28, 2026. They are the 31st, 32nd, 33rd, and 34th astronauts to receive the award. Congratulations! 

These are sample outtakes of that event . . .

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize "any astronaut who in the performance of his or her duties has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind". It is awarded by the president of the United States in Congress's name based on recommendations from the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 

The Artemis II Mission involved a ten-day test flight that carried NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen 252,756 miles from Earth before splashing down off the coast of San Diego. This mission tested Orion’s life-support, navigation, and deep-space systems and set the stage for future U.S.-crewed lunar landings and, eventually, the first missions to Mars.

Learn more at: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii

Image Credit: NASA/John Kraus
Date: Aug. 28, 2026

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