Artemis II crew meets congressional staff in Washington

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, met with congressional staff in Washington on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The group was accompanied by “Rise,” the Artemis II zero gravity indicator, which was documented sitting on the dais during the engagement at the U.S. Capitol.

The meeting follows the conclusion of the Artemis II mission in April 2026, which saw the four astronauts complete a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and return to Earth. The crew’s visit to the Capitol serves as a post-mission appearance, with additional photographs from the event available through NASA’s official channels.

The Artemis II mission represented a significant step in lunar exploration, carrying the multinational crew on their circumlunar trajectory. The presence of both NASA and Canadian Space Agency personnel highlights the international cooperation inherent in the programme, with Hansen representing Canada alongside his American colleagues.

While the source material confirms the attendance of the astronauts and the “Rise” indicator, it does not detail the specific topics discussed during the session with congressional staff. The event was primarily documented through imagery showing the crew and the indicator on the Capitol dais.

The “Rise” zero gravity indicator serves as a symbolic element of the Artemis II mission, accompanying the crew on their public engagements. Its presence at the Capitol underscores the mission’s visibility and the ongoing interest in lunar exploration efforts among legislative bodies.

The Artemis II crew’s return to Washington marks the next phase of their post-mission activities. The mission’s successful completion in April 2026 paved the way for this engagement, reinforcing the programme’s profile in the United States and internationally.