Artemis II Launch Draws Praise from Former President Trump

Former President Donald Trump celebrated the launch of the Artemis II mission, stating it signifies the United States is “WINNING, in Space, on Earth, and everywhere in between.” He emphasized American economic and military strength, adding that the nation now extends its dominance “BEYOND THE STARS.”

Historic Mission to Orbit the Moon

The Artemis II mission, originally slated for February but delayed due to weather conditions, launched four astronauts into deep space to orbit the moon on April 1, 2026. This marks the first crewed mission to lunar orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

Long-Term Lunar Presence

Program Origins and Goals

The Artemis program, established in 2019 during Trump’s first term, aims to establish a long-term American presence on the moon. NASA has planned four missions under the Artemis program, beginning with Artemis I and culminating with Artemis IV in 2028.

Shift in Lunar Base Strategy

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recently announced a shift in strategy, moving forward with the construction of a $20 million base directly on the moon. This decision replaces previous plans to build a lunar orbiting space station.

Trump's Statement on American Dominance

“Tonight at 6:24 P.M. EST, for the first time in over 50 YEARS, America is going back to the Moon,” Trump wrote. He continued, “Nobody comes close! America doesn’t just compete, we DOMINATE, and the whole World is watching.”

Isaacman's Vision

Jared Isaacman stated, “This is the moment where we should all start believing again, when ideas become missions and when hard work delivers world-changing accomplishments.” The astronauts on the Artemis II mission are Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency), Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Christina Koch.