Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Trump Honors Artemis II Crew, Establishes U.S. Space Academy
President Donald Trump honored four astronauts from the Artemis II mission.
They received America’s highest space award during a ceremony in Houston.
The astronauts were Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
Artemis II launched on April 1 and returned safely to Earth on April 10.
Trump also signed an order to create the United States Space Academy.
The academy would teach technical skills, leadership and discipline.
It would help prepare people for work in government and commercial space programs.
Trump also spoke with astronauts living aboard the International Space Station.
President Donald Trump awarded the Artemis II crew the Congressional Space Medal of Honour at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Recipients were NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Artemis II launched on April 1 and splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.
Trump signed an executive order creating a commission to establish the United States Space Academy.
The proposed academy would train service members, engineers and civilian operators for future space activities.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, and NASA officials.
- What
- Trump awarded the Artemis II crew the Congressional Space Medal of Honour and signed an order to establish the United States Space Academy.
- When
- The ceremony and order signing took place on Friday; Artemis II launched April 1 and splashed down April 10.
- Where
- NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
- Why
- The medal recognized the crew’s service, while the proposed academy is intended to prepare skilled personnel for expanding U.S. space activities.
- Award
- Congressional Space Medal of Honour
- Artemis II launch
- April 1
- Artemis II splashdown
- April 10 in the Pacific Ocean
- Ceremony location
- NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
- Proposed institution
- United States Space Academy
- Commission chair
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
- Commission executive director
- NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson