Artemis II Crew Awarded Congressional Space Medal of Honor in Historic Ceremony

POLICY WIRE — Houston, USA — The Artemis II astronauts, who completed a historic lunar flyby earlier this year, were bestowed with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on Friday. President Donald...

Editorial Desk

August 28, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Houston, USA — The Artemis II astronauts, who completed a historic lunar flyby earlier this year, were bestowed with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on Friday.

President Donald Trump led the ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, presenting the prestigious award to the three Americans and one Canadian crew members.

The April mission set a new distance record for humanity, with the crew coming within 4,067 miles of the moon while testing NASA’s Orion capsule.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and other notable figures attended the event, which also saw Trump announce the establishment of a U.S. Space Academy.

The academy aims to support the Space Force, NASA, and the commercial space sector, though its location remains undecided.

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen are now part of an elite group of 30 astronauts who have received this honor.

📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES

👉 READ BY CLICKING HERE

The ceremony also featured remarks from Apollo 17 moonwalker Harrison Schmitt and NASA Deputy Administrator Matthew Anderson, who highlighted the beginning of the second space race.

As the event concluded, the Artemis II astronauts gifted President Trump a blue flight jacket adorned with space patches.

Trump then contacted the U.S. astronauts aboard the International Space Station to share the news of the new U.S. Space Academy.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

Author

Editorial Desk

Policy Wire is your go-to editorial hub for insightful perspectives and informed analysis on pressing policy issues, both regionally and globally. Over the years, Policy Wire has collaborated with leading international news agencies—including AFP, AP, Reuters, and others—to provide fact-based reporting and nuanced commentary. With a commitment to clarity and credibility, we aim to bridge the gap between complex policy debates and public understanding, ensuring that our readers stay informed on the issues shaping the world today.