Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has introduced the Artemis II Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor the crew of the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit and around the Moon in 53 years. The mission carried Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen on a journey of 252,756 miles from Earth, the farthest humans have ever traveled.

The act aims to award Congressional Gold Medals to the Artemis II crew, recognizing their historic achievement. Congress last authorized such medals for astronauts in 2009, honoring the Apollo 11 crew and John Glenn.

The Artemis II crew was publicly recognized on July 4, 2026, during the Salute to America event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where they stood alongside Apollo astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt as President Donald Trump spoke.

This legislative effort comes as the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, a milestone noted by Bacon as a fitting moment to reflect on American progress driven by ambition and determination. He highlighted the legacy of American space leadership, beginning with President Eisenhower's signing of the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which created NASA.

Additionally, students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Big Red Satellite team were recognized for building the first CubeSat produced by a Nebraska team and sending it to the International Space Station in 2024.

Bacon emphasized bipartisan support for the bill, stating that American achievements in space deserve to be celebrated and sustained.

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