Story perspectives

Trump Praises Artemis II Crew, Promises 2027 Moon Landing.

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

The president’s rapid-response team rebuked reporters for ignoring the astronauts’ achievements during the briefing.
President Donald Trump praised Artemis II crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—and met them with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in the Oval Office.
Trump said the mission’s 252,756-mile record supports a lunar landing before his second term ends, with Artemis III slated for 2027 and Artemis IV for 2028.

History

Historical Context

President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 pledge spurred NASA’s Apollo program, which landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20 1969 and cost $25.4 billion with over 400,000 workers. After Apollo ended, NASA created the Artemis program in 2017; Artemis II, carrying astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen, will fly a lunar flyby in 2026, paving the way for Artemis III’s planned 2028 landing.

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Story summary

The president’s rapid-response team rebuked reporters for ignoring the astronauts’ achievements during the briefing.
President Donald Trump praised Artemis II crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—and met them with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in the Oval Office.
Trump said the mission’s 252,756-mile record supports a lunar landing before his second term ends, with Artemis III slated for 2027 and Artemis IV for 2028.

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