**What is Artemis II?**
NASA’s Artemis program is a set of missions that want to bring people back to the Moon. Artemis II was the first trip that went around the Moon in 2026. Four astronauts spent 10 days circling the Moon and saw the far side of the Moon – the side we can’t see from Earth.

**How the Mission Happened?**
The astronauts launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in the Orion spacecraft. On April 1 they left Earth, went close to the Moon, orbited it, and then returned to Earth. This trip let humans reach the farthest distance in space ever.

**Why It Is Special?**
Artemis II was the first crewed mission to the Moon since the 1970s. The astronauts saw the far side of the Moon and made a new journey around it. This gives scientists new information and helps plan future Moon bases.

**The Award: Congress Space Honor Medal**
President Donald Trump will give the Congress Space Honor Medal to the astronauts who finished this special mission. The medal is the highest space award in the U.S. Only 30 astronauts have ever received it. Famous astronauts who have it include Neil Armstrong, the first person to step on the Moon, and John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.

**Did You Know?**
- The Orion spacecraft can stay in space longer than the Apollo spacecraft from the 1970s.
- The far side of the Moon is also called the “dark side” because we can’t see it from Earth.
- NASA plans to build a Moon base in 2028 with the Artemis program.

**Frequently Asked Questions**
**Question:** How did the astronauts see the far side of the Moon?
**Answer:** While Orion orbited the Moon, it passed the Moon’s shadow and could look at the far side.

**Question:** Why is the medal so special?
**Answer:** The medal is given only to astronauts who complete very important space missions and shows the highest honor from the U.S. government.

**Question:** What will happen after Artemis II?
**Answer:** NASA aims to build a Moon base in 2028 and plans to land astronauts on the Moon with Artemis III.

**How It Touches Children’s Lives**
This adventure inspires children’s dreams about space and science. The astronauts’ experiences encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers. It also shows how space discoveries help technology on Earth.

**Summary**
Artemis II was the first modern crew to circle the Moon. Four brave astronauts spent 10 days in space and will receive the biggest space award from the U.S. President. This success shows how exciting and important space research is and takes another step toward future Moon bases and space exploration.