Artemis II Crew Shares Laugh with Trump After Historic Lunar Flyby

President invites astronauts to Oval Office after record-breaking mission.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:03am

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An abstract, geometric painting in muted tones of blue, green, and purple, featuring sweeping arcs, concentric circles, and precise spiral patterns, representing the complex forces and structures of space exploration.The Artemis II mission's successful lunar flyby represents a major milestone in humanity's return to the Moon, inspiring a new era of space exploration.Tucson Today

The Artemis II crew, who recently completed a historic lunar flyby, received a congratulatory call from President Donald Trump. During the conversation, the president praised the astronauts' achievements and invited them to visit the Oval Office after their return to Earth.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Trump's call and invitation highlight the political significance of the mission and the administration's support for the space agency's ambitious lunar exploration goals.

The details

The Artemis II crew, consisting of four astronauts, broke the record previously set by the Apollo 13 mission for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by a crewed spacecraft. During the call, Trump commended the astronauts on their accomplishments and expressed his excitement to welcome them to the White House.

  • The Artemis II mission completed its lunar flyby on April 5, 2026.
  • President Trump placed the congratulatory call to the crew on April 6, 2026.

The players

Artemis II Crew

A team of four astronauts who recently completed a historic lunar flyby as part of NASA's Artemis program, breaking the distance record set by the Apollo 13 mission.

President Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who called the Artemis II crew to congratulate them on their achievements and invite them to the Oval Office.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so proud of what you've accomplished. You've made history, and we can't wait to have you back at the White House.”

— President Donald Trump

What’s next

The Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth in the coming weeks, at which point they will be invited to the Oval Office to meet with President Trump.

The takeaway

The successful Artemis II mission and the president's personal congratulations highlight the renewed national focus on space exploration and the important role that the Artemis program will play in shaping the future of human lunar activities.