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SNL Pokes Fun at Astronauts' Antics During Artemis II Mission
The sketch captured the grandeur of the moon voyage and the realities of being stuck in a metal tube with three other people.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:21pm
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SNL's comedic take on the Artemis II mission captures the grandeur of space travel and the everyday realities of life in a spacecraft.Cape Canaveral TodaySaturday Night Live aired a sketch that paid tribute to the astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II spacecraft, capturing the tension between the nobility of the mission and the boredom and hijinks of being cooped up in space for an extended period. The sketch featured the Artemis II crew - including Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Wiseman - struggling to record a serious message for those back on Earth as their crewmates kept interrupting with antics like a floating Pringles can and bathroom mishaps.
Why it matters
The SNL sketch highlighted how space exploration, while a symbol of scientific achievement, also elicits curiosity and humor from the general public about the day-to-day realities of astronaut life. It also reflected the broader cultural and political climate, where science has faced increasing skepticism, even as the Artemis II mission aimed to reignite public wonder about the cosmos.
The details
In the sketch, Glover (played by host Colman Domingo) tried repeatedly to record a thoughtful message about the mission and the awe of seeing Earth from space, only to be interrupted by his crewmates. Hansen and Wiseman bickered over a floating Pringles can, while mission specialist Christina Koch drifted by with a doodle on her face. The sketch balanced the grandeur of the Artemis II voyage with the mundane challenges of living in close quarters in zero gravity.
- The Artemis II mission took place in 2026.
- The SNL sketch aired on April 12, 2026.
The players
Victor Glover
An Artemis II astronaut who tried to record a serious message for those back on Earth.
Jeremy Hansen
An Artemis II astronaut who bickered with his crewmates and played pranks.
Reid Wiseman
The Artemis II mission commander, who also got caught up in the antics of the crew.
Christina Koch
An Artemis II astronaut who drifted by with a doodle on her face while her crewmates tried to record a message.
Colman Domingo
The episode's host who portrayed astronaut Victor Glover in the SNL sketch.
What they’re saying
“Being a man of faith, this has certainly brought me closer to God.”
— Victor Glover, Artemis II Astronaut
“Oh come on, guys. You've got to Velcro your snacks to the wall!”
— Victor Glover, Artemis II Astronaut
“It's Day 9, and we're just kinda bored, okay?”
— Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II Astronaut
What’s next
The Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth in the coming days, completing their historic mission around the moon.
The takeaway
The SNL sketch captured the complex mix of awe, humor, and boredom that can come with space exploration, reflecting both the grandeur of the Artemis II mission and the realities of life in the confines of a spacecraft. It also highlighted how science and space travel can still inspire wonder, even in an era marked by skepticism and division.
