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The Artemis 2 astronauts look up at footage from their flight during a visit to Capitol Hill. | Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
As we reflect on this past July 4 weekend, and America's 250th birthday, we look to NASA's Artemis II astronauts, who recently reflected on their historic mission during a visit to Capitol Hill.
What is it?
Following their return to Earth from a 10-day journey around the moon in April, NASA's Artemis II astronauts headed to Capitol Hill.
This photograph, captured on May 12, shows the crew — from left to right, NASA astronauts Christina Koch (mission specialist), Victor Glover (mission pilot), Reid Wiseman (mission commander) and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist) — showing off a photo from their mission to congressional staff at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. In the photo, the four astronauts are wearing what look like eclipse glasses in the Orion capsule that they rode to space and back.
The presentation was part of a larger visit by the astronauts, who went to Capitol Hill to speak with U.S. politicians and staff about their mission.
Why is it incredible?
NASA's Artemis II mission had a profound impact on the public. The first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis program, and the first mission to the moon since the Apollo program ended over 50 years ago, Artemis II was a big step forward in human spaceflight.
But its success went well beyond the mission itself. The public really connected with the astronauts, and this mission seemed to ignite a fresh, new excitement about space overall.
In going to Capitol Hill and speaking with policymakers, the astronauts were able to share some of the experiences that the public connected to so deeply. For federal funding and support of science and spaceflight activities to continue, it's important for policymakers to understand what happens in space, and on these missions, and the many benefits that can come from even a single flight.
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