Apollo 16 Astronaut Records Message for Artemis II Crew

NASA played the message for the crew when they woke up on Sunday morning.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:08pm

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Charlie Duke, an astronaut who worked on the Apollo 16 mission in 1972, recorded an audio message for the Artemis II crew that NASA played for them on Sunday morning. In the message, Duke congratulated the Artemis II crew on their mission to return humans to the Moon and shared that he left a photo of his family on the lunar surface during Apollo 16, hoping it would remind the crew that the world is cheering them on.

Why it matters

Duke's message provides a symbolic connection between the historic Apollo missions and the current Artemis program, highlighting the continuity of America's efforts to explore and land on the Moon. As the Artemis II crew embarks on their mission, Duke's words and personal connection to the lunar surface offer encouragement and inspiration.

The details

In his message, Duke recounted his own experience landing on the Moon in 1972 as part of the Apollo 16 mission, where he and astronaut John Young touched down in a lunar module they named Orion. Duke expressed his gladness to see a new Orion spacecraft helping return humans to the Moon as part of the Artemis program. He also shared that he had left a photo of his family on the lunar surface during Apollo 16, hoping it would serve as a reminder to the Artemis II crew that the world is supporting their journey.

  • Charlie Duke recorded the message for the Artemis II crew on an unspecified date prior to their launch.
  • NASA played the message for the Artemis II crew on Sunday morning, April 5, 2026, when they woke up.

The players

Charlie Duke

An astronaut who worked on the Apollo 16 mission in 1972, where he and John Young landed on the Moon.

Artemis II Crew

The crew of the Artemis II mission, which is part of NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface.

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What they’re saying

“John Young and I landed on the Moon in 1972 in a lunar module we named Orion. I'm glad to see a different kind of Orion helping return humans to the Moon as America charts the course to the lunar surface. Below you on the Moon is a photo of my family. I pray it reminds you that we and America and all of the world are cheering you on.”

— Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 Astronaut

The takeaway

Duke's message serves as a powerful reminder of the legacy of the Apollo program and the excitement surrounding the new era of lunar exploration through the Artemis program. His personal connection to the Moon and his words of encouragement for the Artemis II crew highlight the continuity of America's efforts to push the boundaries of space exploration.