Artemis II Astronauts Send Easter Message from Space

Christina Koch mentions Houston in video from NASA's lunar mission

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

NASA has released a video of the Artemis II astronauts delivering an Easter message from space, including a special shoutout to Houston, Texas, from mission specialist Christina Koch. The video provides a glimpse into the lives of the crew members as they celebrate the holiday while orbiting the Moon.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a critical step in NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the lunar surface, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon. The astronauts' personal messages from space help generate public excitement and support for the program, which has faced funding challenges in recent years.

The details

In the video, the four Artemis II astronauts - mission commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen - are seen floating in the Orion spacecraft. They take turns addressing the camera, wishing viewers a happy Easter and sharing their thoughts on being in space during the holiday. Koch, a veteran of long-duration spaceflight, mentions that if she weren't in orbit, she'd likely be spending Easter in her hometown of Houston, Texas.

  • The Artemis II mission launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The astronauts recorded their Easter message on April 4, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

Mission commander for the Artemis II lunar mission.

Victor Glover

Pilot for the Artemis II lunar mission.

Christina Koch

Mission specialist for the Artemis II lunar mission, and a veteran of long-duration spaceflight.

Jeremy Hansen

Mission specialist for the Artemis II lunar mission.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If I wasn't up here, I'd probably be back home in Houston, Texas, celebrating Easter with my family.”

— Christina Koch, Mission Specialist

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to return to Earth on April 10, 2026, completing a critical test flight around the Moon before the Artemis III mission attempts the first crewed lunar landing since the Apollo program.

The takeaway

The Artemis II astronauts' Easter message from space serves as a powerful reminder of the human element behind NASA's ambitious plans to return to the Moon, and the personal sacrifices these explorers make to push the boundaries of human spaceflight.