WASHINGTON D.C April 29, 2026— President Donald Trump welcomed the four-member crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission to the Oval Office on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, hailing their successful crewed lunar flyby as a defining moment in American space exploration.
“We have some people that captivated the attention of the whole world,” Trump said, addressing the astronauts standing behind the Resolute Desk. He praised their bravery, noting the immense power of the rocket that propelled them and adding, “It takes people like this to make our country great.”
The Artemis II crew — NASA astronauts Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen — completed the first crewed flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The mission launched on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center and carried the astronauts on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon before a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on April 10-11.
During the Oval Office event, Trump stood and gestured toward the crew while emphasizing the mission’s global impact and the courage required to undertake such a voyage. The astronauts, dressed in blue flight suits, listened attentively as Trump spoke from his chair.
Artemis II marked the first time humans have traveled to the vicinity of the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The flight tested Orion’s systems in deep space and set the stage for future Artemis landings on the lunar surface and eventual missions to Mars.
The White House shared video of the meeting on X shortly after the gathering, underscoring the administration’s commitment to renewed U.S. leadership in space. The post quickly drew widespread engagement as viewers celebrated the return to lunar exploration.
Trump has repeatedly described the Artemis program as a symbol of American ingenuity and has pledged continued support for NASA’s deep-space ambitions.
The astronauts are expected to continue debriefings and public outreach following their return to Houston earlier this month. Artemis III, the first planned crewed lunar landing in the modern program, is targeted for 2027.
This meeting comes as the Trump administration highlights space achievements amid broader national priorities.
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