President Trump Honors Space Exploration and Initiates U.S. Space Force Academy

President Donald Trump engaged with astronauts stationed at the International Space Station during a phone call from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Earlier, he had honored the Artemis II crew for their pioneering contributions to space exploration.

During the call, Trump remarked humorously about space travel, stating, “Many Americans would love to travel to space. I wouldn’t do it. I hate to admit it. I would not want to do it. But some people love it more than anything.”

The astronauts expressed their excitement about conversing with the President, mentioning they were currently involved in several spacewalks, with another one scheduled for the following week. Trump acknowledged their pioneering efforts and welcomed other dignitaries to converse with the ISS crew. Moreover, he extended an invitation to the astronauts to visit the White House upon their return.

Earlier in the day, Trump had awarded the Artemis II crew members with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. The crew comprised Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen. Trump also signed an executive order to establish the U.S. Space Force Academy. This new academy will be added alongside existing military academies like West Point, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Annapolis.