NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston not only welcomed back and housed the victorious Artemis II crew: Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Canadian Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, but on Saturday, they hosted a late Saturday afternoon press conference for America and the world to hear from the Artemis II crew. This would be the first remarks they have given since Friday's flawless re-entry back into the Earth's atmosphere and their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean outside of San Diego.
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The astronauts. Their ride around the Moon.
— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 11, 2026
The Artemis II astronauts pose for a group photo after viewing their Orion spacecraft — which they named Integrity — in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha following their splashdown. pic.twitter.com/dLicqJPoox
NASA and civic and government leaders joined the Artemis II crew and their families, along with NASA's staff and others at Ellington Field. NASA Flight Operations Director Norm Knight called for more energy from the crowd for the obvious reason: "We just sent four people around the moon!" he said.
Knight continued:
It is my honor to welcome you to Ellington Field in Houston, as we celebrate the return of the Artemis II crew from their historic mission around the moon. This afternoon, we're not only celebrating their safe homecoming, we're recognizing a milestone in space flight history that advances America's bold return to deep space: this time to stay.
After thanking the families, NASA staff, and national and international partners in the mission, Knight concluded, "With their safe return to their families, the Artemis II mission is now complete."
Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche was next to the podium and said, "Millions globally felt that connection throughout this mission. People didn't just watch, they were invested."
The excitement, the pride, the unmistakable Moon Joy, it is everywhere. And a new generation witnessed: "If you can dream it, you can be it." And it will lead to countless students to become the next scientists, engineers, inventors, mathematicians and astronauts. Who will dare to forge new frontiers in space and push the boundaries of what's possible for the benefit of all.
Wyche affirmed that the press conference was, "a celebration of four pioneers who represent the very best of humanity. Who traveled farther than any humans have gone before, and who carried all of us along with them."
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman had the privilege of officially welcoming the crew onto the stage. Isaacman first thanked President Donald Trump and Congress for "the mandate and resources to make this mission, and many others to come, possible. All the NASA workforce, the partners national and international, and especially the American taxpayers."
Isaacman acknowledged that this type of endeavor did indeed come with a hefty price tag: but it was an investment that reaped dividends which cannot be quantified.
There is no doubt there is a price to pay when it comes to exploring the cosmos. But there is also a return: a return in the jobs it creates, the technologies that improve life here on earth, and the inspiration it sparks in all those who choose to follow. And to people all around the world who look up and dream about what is possible: the long wait is over. After a brief, 53-year intermission, the show goes on, and NASA is back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon and bringing them home safely.
This received huge applause.
Isaacman then introduced the Artemis II crew to the stage: "This is why it is now my great privilege to welcome to the stage: Commander Reid Weisman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. Ladies and gentlemen, your Artemis II crew."
The audience rose, giving the astronauts more lengthy, raucous applause. It is a testament to the crew's physical conditioning, training, and the medical personnel who attended to them upon reentry, that this crew was not only ambulatory, but verbal and coherent, and actually ebullient. Of course, they had chairs on stage in which they could sit while others gave their remarks.
Wiseman took his time sitting down, as he said that he was experiencing some motion sickness. Isaacman concluded by introducing him with an incredible anecdote:
Artemis II is the opening act in America's return to the moon. As we stand here this evening, the mobile launcher is going back to the VAB, Artemis III will start to be assembled, and the next crew will begin to play their part, as we return to the lunar surface, we build the base, and we never give up the moon again.
Commander Wiseman, Reid, you said in an interview back in February that you hoped this mission would be forgotten, overshadowed by all that was to come after. But I'm very sorry to disappoint you all. Artemis II will always be remembered. It was the moment we all saw the Moon again. Where childhoold dreams became missions. You helped the world to start believing again, and this is something that no one's ever going to forget. So, on behalf of NASA and the space-loving community from around the world: Thank you, for showing us your courage, your professionalism, your unity, and your humanity. Thank you, for showing us the Moon again. Thank you, for showing us Planet Earth again. And Thank you, for contributing to the greatest adventure in human history. Welcome home, Artemis II.
As Commander Wiseman rose to speak, he invited the rest of the crew to gather around him in order to sync up their watches. Wiseman said in the three-year planning phase and in space, the crew synched up whenever they got distracted, in order to bring them all back into focus.
Not only does that make them look even more like superheroes, but it is a visual object lesson on the power of unity.
Wiseman then said, "I have absolutely no idea what to say. Twenty-four hours ago the Earth was that big [pantomimed the size with his hands] out the window and we were doing Mach 39, and here we are back at Ellington, at home."
The audience laughed, and Wiseman high-fived the crew, then continued.
Victor, Christina, and Jeremy: We are bonded forever. And no one down here is ever gonna know what the four of us just went through. And it was the most special thing that will ever happen in my life. And our families are over here. And with the exception of Dot, Susie, and Jeannie, who are in the audience, but I don't know where they are. But Dot, I'm going to hit McDonald's later today, in honor of your husband. No one knows what the families went through, man. This was not easy. Being 200,000-plus miles away from home. Like, before you launch, it feels like it's the greatest dream on Earth. And when you're out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. It's a special thing to be a human and it's a special thing to be on Planet Earth.
Mission complete ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/4fpuzenkHc
— Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 11, 2026
The incredible bond of this crew appeared even stronger, as they came together for a huge group hug.
Wiseman joked, "The only person who could follow that up is Victor Glover, so, let's go!"
Glover was the spiritual leader of the crew, and his powerful and inspirational messages transmitted from space immediately went viral here on Earth.
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Glover said something unprecedented: he really didn't have much to say.
He went on to explain:
I have not processed what we just did, and I'm afraid to start even trying. When this started on April 3rd, I wanted to thank God in public. And I want to thank God again. Because even bigger than my challenge trying to describe what we went through, the gratitude of seeing what we saw, doing what we did, and being with who I was with... it's too big to be just be in one body.
And I wanted to thank our families, for everything that he just said, so [pointing to Wiseman] great words, great words, great words.
I love you. But not just those five, beautiful, cocoa-skinned ladies right here. But all of you.
And I wanted to thank our leadership. And it's changed since we were here in April of 2023, but the qualities haven't. And we are fortunate to be in this agency, at this time, together. And so, I'm gonna to sit down.
Thank you also for our air operations for this facility and our ride home from San Diego. Thank you. I love you.
Koch said she couldn't sleep, so she prepared remarks that she said she would try and get through.
Ten days ago, this journey started with our mission manager Sean Duvall, knocking on my door in crew quarters, and whispering, "Christina, we're go for launch, get up!"
And it ended last night, when my nurse on the ship put me to bed, and said, "Ma'am, can I get a hug?"
So, a lot has happened between those two moments, but the start and the end were human moments here on Earth.
The mission specialist spoke about how during times when she spoke publicly about this mission and the lead-up to this journey, she often was asked the question: What makes a crew? What is different about a crew than a team? Koch admitted that before this mission, "Everything that came out of my mouth was completely without value."
The last 10 days I've gotten a little bit of a better answer on that question. A crew is people, a group, that is in it all the time, that is stroking together every minute with the same purpose. That is willing to sacrifice silently for each other. That gives grace, that holds accountable. A crew has the same cares and the same needs. And a crew is inescapably, beautifully, dutifully linked.
So, when we saw tiny Earth, people asked our crew what impressions we had. And honestly, what struck me wasn't necessarily just Earth. It was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging, undisturbingly in the universe.
Koch paused for a bit, as she lost her train of thought. She regained it, and concluded:
So... I may have not learned... I know I haven't learned everything that this journey has yet to teach me.
But there's one new thing I know, And that is: Planet Earth. You. Are. A. Crew.
Hansen was the last to speak, saying, "well, it's been a lot, and this isn't helping. This is the furthest I've been away from Reid in a long time."
This made everyone laugh, and Reid Wiseman came over to Hansen's chair, sat down, and put his hand on him as Hansen shared about three of the human experiences which strengthened the crew's bond and the work they were tasked to do.
"It's the human experience that is extraordinary for us, and it sounds like maybe for you too," Hansen said.
Hansen named the first experience: Gratitude. He expressed gratitude for his family. Gratitude for NASA and its leadership. And gratitude for the Canadian Space Agency. Hansen said the word "gratitude" in French, as well as a few more words in the language to express gratitude to Canada, and then to the Artemis II crew.
Hansen then switched back to English.
Gratitude for the bravery and the courage, for the teams to be 'No Go,' when we were No Go, and 'Go,' when we were Go. That took a lot. I don't think people will really ever fully comprehend how well supported and trained we were. It's almost unbelievable.
The next one is Joy.
Hansen explained that the crew had coined a phrase: "Joy Train," to describe a mindset that kept them traveling in sync, in the right direction. He expounded:
We're not always on the Joy Train, this crew. There are many times we are not on the Joy Train. But we are committed to getting back on the Joy Train as soon as we can. And that is a useful life skill for any team trying to get something done.
The last one is — I need your help for this, come up here you guys.
The other crew members stood up, and they all locked arms.
Hansen concluded:
The last one is Love. What you saw was a group of people who loved contributing, having meaningful contribution, and extracting Joy out of that. And what we've been hearing is that was something special for you to witness. And, the reason I had them form up here with me, is that when you look up here, you're not looking at us. We are a mirror reflecting you. And if you like what you see, just look a little deeper.
This is YOU.
The crew once again hugged and huddled, reflecting the unity that existed among them, and the reason behind why they were successful at accomplishing such a monumental feat.
Other speakers at the press conference included the Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell, who gave remarks in French and English, highlighting the historic partnership which allowed their astronaut Hansen to be the first non-American astronaut on a U.S. space mission.
Republican Rep. and Science Committee Chairman Brian Babbin (TX-36), and Republican Rep. and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Greg Bonin (TX-24) also said a few words.
Republican Rep. Michael Michael Cloud (TX-27) concluded the guest speaker remarks, and he appropriately sealed the celebration.
Cloud said:
Thank you for all you've done to inspire us to dream again. You, and everyone who has supported you. It is... as a father, I have three kids, and I know some of you do too. For them to have something to look to: to dream again, to build again, to achieve again. Us as a nation desperately needed this, the world needed this. We needed to see what could be done when we could come together, again.
I'm reminded of the Psalmist in Psalm 8: He said, even as we look to the night sky, and as we look at creation and behold the stars and the moon, we begin to think about what is mankind from God's perspective. And so, this trip gave us a different way of looking at ourselves. And the way that you have displayed the best of us has been extraordinary and has given us a perspective as we continue to push ahead into the future.
[...]
This is a noble cause, it's a worthy case, it's worthy of our best efforts as a nation, and thank you for what you've done. You've given us something to dream again, you've inspired us, and you've given us something we can build upon for the future. God Bless You.
Knight returned to the podium, thanking the Artemis II crew once again. He concluded, "To the workforce across NASA and our partners: This achievement belongs to you."
You can watch the entire press conference below.
WATCH:
LIVE: Safely back on Earth after a trip around the Moon, our @NASAArtemis II astronauts are returning to @NASA_Johnson in Houston. Watch us welcome them back home. https://t.co/vAtr8RIxg4
— NASA (@NASA) April 11, 2026
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