World · North America · 4 hrs ago
Apollo and Artemis Astronauts Meet at Kennedy Space Center Gala
At a gala at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, 28 astronauts, including two Apollo veterans, shared the stage with members of the Artemis crews.
Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart and the Artemis III crew discussed their similar roles: testing equipment so future crews can land safely on the Moon.
Schweickart said Artemis III will test a lunar lander in Earth orbit, much as Apollo 9 tested lunar equipment before later Moon landings.
Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke also spoke with Artemis II crew members, who described the feelings they shared during their trip around the Moon.
The Artemis II astronauts do not plan to fly again, and Victor Glover said he wants to support the next generation.
Duke said the long-term goal is to stay on the Moon and use its resources for people on Earth.
Twenty-eight astronauts, including two Apollo veterans, attended the Artemis Celebration Gala at Kennedy Space Center.
The gala took place on Friday night, the evening before NASA’s MAX POWER event.
Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke and Apollo 9 lunar module pilot Rusty Schweickart were guests of honor.
Artemis crews and Apollo veterans discussed the similarities between their missions and the future of lunar exploration.
Duke said the next generation’s legacy should include staying on the Moon and using its resources for everyone’s benefit.
- Who
- Twenty-eight astronauts attended, including Apollo veterans Charlie Duke and Rusty Schweickart and members of the Artemis II and III crews.
- What
- They shared the stage at the Artemis Celebration Gala.
- When
- Friday night, the evening before NASA’s MAX POWER event; the article was published November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- Why
- The gala celebrated Artemis and honored Apollo veterans and engineers; the sources do not state a more specific reason.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Artemis Celebration Gala was held at Kennedy Space Center, the evening before NASA’s MAX POWER event.
Rusty Schweickart appeared onstage with the Artemis III crew, including backup Bob Hines standing in for Andre Douglas.
Charlie Duke and Schweickart joined members of the Artemis II crew for a panel.
- Astronauts attending
- 28, including two Apollo veterans
- Venue
- Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida
- Guests of honor
- Charlie Duke and Rusty Schweickart
- Artemis III representative
- Bob Hines stood in for Andre Douglas
What people are saying
a living connection between those who first taught humanity how to reach another world and those who will learn how to stay there.
to make sure that the guys who landed on the Moon on the following flights were going to have a good set of equipment and machines to do the job, and you guys have got the same job.
It was hope and joy and peace and unity.
It’s just not a rock up there.