Trump hails NASA's Artemis II launch
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has congratulated NASA on the successful launch of its Artemis II mission. The president made the remarks during a prime-time national address from the White House, calling it a bold American achievement in space. "Let me begin by congratulating the team at NASA, and our brave astronauts on the successful launch of Artemis II," Trump said. It will be traveling further than any manned rocket has ever flown, he added.
Mission details
About the Artemis II mission
The Artemis II mission, which launched from Florida's Kennedy Space Center aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, is a major milestone in human space exploration. It is the first crewed flight beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The 10-day test mission carries four astronauts: NASA commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
Spacecraft trajectory
First human flight to Moon since Apollo 17
After separating from the rocket, the Orion spacecraft named Integrity is now heading toward the Moon on a free-return trajectory. The crew is expected to reach a maximum distance of over 400,000km from Earth, which is farther than any human has ever traveled. They will then swing around the Moon's far side and return home.
Flight tests
Crew on board healthy, says NASA
The Artemis II flight is designed to rigorously test Orion's life-support systems, heat shield, and navigation in deep space ahead of future landings. As of now, the crew remains healthy after a brief, routine communications blackout shortly after launch and a reported toilet issue that is being fixed. Mission controllers say Orion is performing as planned and remains on course for a safe splashdown off California.
Twitter Post
Trump gives shout-out to NASA astronauts
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump WALKS OUT to deliver a blockbuster address by shouting out the NASA ASTRONAUTS who launched on Artemis II to the moon
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 2, 2026
"GOD BLESS THEM!"
"Let me begin by congratulating the team at NASA and our brave astronauts on the successful launch of Artemis II."… pic.twitter.com/VRhNXJseHS