Artemis II Astronauts Show Love for Eagles from Space

Crew shares reflections on historic moon mission ahead of splashdown

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A highly textured, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and oranges, featuring sweeping geometric arcs and concentric circles representing the Artemis II spacecraft's orbit around the Moon, conveying the structural order of the universe.The Artemis II crew's enthusiastic support for the Philadelphia Eagles while orbiting the Moon underscores the shared human experiences that can transcend the boundaries of space exploration.Philadelphia Today

As the Artemis II crew heads home from their historic moon mission, they have shared reflections on their trip, including a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. But one of the most notable moments was the astronauts' enthusiastic display of support for the Philadelphia Eagles, their beloved hometown football team, while in orbit around the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a major milestone in the renewed push for human space exploration, and the astronauts' personal connections and enthusiasm for their home city and sports team help humanize the historic achievement. Their shoutout to the Eagles also generates excitement and national pride around the mission.

The details

During a live video call, the Artemis II crew members were seen wearing Philadelphia Eagles jerseys and chanting "Go Birds!" in a display of hometown pride. This moment quickly went viral on social media, resonating with fans of both the space program and the Eagles football team.

  • The Artemis II crew is currently on their return trajectory to Earth after completing their moon mission.
  • The crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean in the coming days.

The players

Artemis II Crew

The four-person crew of the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight around the Moon since the Apollo program.

Mark Carney

The Prime Minister of Canada, who spoke with the Artemis II crew during their mission.

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What they’re saying

“Go Birds! We're bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Philly!”

— Artemis II Crew Member

What’s next

The Artemis II crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean in the coming days, marking the successful completion of their historic moon mission.

The takeaway

The Artemis II astronauts' enthusiastic display of support for the Philadelphia Eagles while in orbit around the Moon serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit and personal connections that underlie even the most ambitious feats of space exploration.