Artemis II Crew Reflects on Historic Lunar Mission at United Nations

The Artemis II crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—recently visited the United Nations to discuss their historic 10-day lunar flyby mission. The mission, which launched on April 1, 2026, marked the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years.

During their visit, the astronauts shared personal reflections on their experiences. Commander Reid Wiseman emphasized the mission's goal to inspire humanity, stating, "We wanted humanity to just pause for a second and see that this world can still do something exceptionally well when they put their mind to it." Pilot Victor Glover expressed gratitude for the journey and the view of Earth from space, while Mission Specialist Christina Koch highlighted the planet's uniqueness, noting that the surrounding darkness made Earth feel "even more special than it's ever been." Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen spoke about the dual feelings of insignificance and empowerment when observing the vastness of space.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz presented the crew with hats bearing the slogan "MUNGA," or "Make the U.N. Great Again," inspired by former President Donald Trump's campaign slogan. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledged the progress made since the establishment of the Artemis program in 2020, highlighting the collaborative efforts that led to the success of Artemis II.

The Artemis II mission set a new record for the farthest distance traveled by humans in space, surpassing the mark set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The crew's reflections and the mission's achievements underscore the significance of international cooperation in advancing space exploration.