President Trump awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the Artemis II crew on Friday. The ceremony recognized their successful journey around the moon. The crew completed the historic mission earlier this year.
The president also announced the creation of a new Space Academy during the event. The academy will serve as a dedicated institution for advanced aerospace training. It aims to prepare the next generation of astronauts and engineers.
The Artemis II mission marked the first crewed lunar flyby in over five decades. The four astronauts spent several days in deep space. Their voyage tested critical systems for future lunar landings.
Trump praised the crew for their bravery and contribution to American space exploration. He described their mission as a defining moment for the nation’s space program. The medal is the highest civilian honor for spaceflight achievement.
The Space Academy will be established at an existing NASA facility. Officials say the curriculum will focus on lunar operations and long-duration spaceflight. The first class of trainees is expected to begin next year.
Lawmakers from both parties attended the ceremony. Some expressed support for the new academy, while others questioned its budget. NASA has not yet released detailed cost estimates for the program.
The announcement comes as NASA prepares for Artemis III, a planned landing near the lunar south pole. The agency aims to launch that mission within the next two years. The crew for that flight has not yet been named.
The astronauts also shared their experiences from the mission during the ceremony. They described the view of Earth from lunar orbit as profound. Their remarks drew applause from the audience in attendance.
