A resolution commemorating April 6, 2026, as the day the Artemis II crew surpassed the record for the farthest distance traveled by astronauts into deep space and celebrating the success of the Artemis II mission.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 695
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-28: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2076-2077; text: CR S2085)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-05T19:36:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. Res. 695
Purpose
This Senate resolution commemorates April 6, 2026, as the day the Artemis II crew broke the record for the farthest distance traveled by astronauts from Earth (surpassing Apollo 13's 1970 record) and celebrates the overall success of the Artemis II mission, highlighting U.S. leadership in space exploration.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a preamble with "Whereas" clauses detailing mission facts and a "Resolved" section where the Senate:
- Commemorates April 6, 2026, for the distance record.
- Celebrates the mission's launch (April 1, 2026), journey, and safe return (April 10, 2026).
- Honors the crew: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (Commander), Victor Glover (Pilot), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist), and Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency Mission Specialist).
- Recognizes U.S. technological excellence, contributions from NASA teams (e.g., at Johnson Space Center), industry partners (over 2,700 companies), and international collaborators (Canadian and European Space Agencies).
- Commends recovery efforts by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
- Reaffirms U.S. commitment to space leadership and peaceful exploration.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
None. This is a simple resolution (S. Res.), which expresses the Senate's opinion or recognition and has no binding legal effect or force of law.
Potential Impacts
- Symbolic and morale-boosting: Inspires public interest in space, highlights economic benefits from a skilled workforce, and promotes unity in exploration.
- Government agencies: Recognizes NASA, Navy, and Coast Guard roles, potentially supporting future funding or morale without mandating action.
- Citizens and international relations: Celebrates historic firsts (first woman, first African American, first non-U.S. astronaut beyond low Earth orbit), fosters international goodwill with Canada and Europe, and reaffirms U.S. space dominance.
- No direct fiscal, regulatory, or operational changes.
Main Stakeholders
- Crew members: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen.
- Agencies: NASA (e.g., Johnson Space Center teams), Canadian Space Agency, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard.
- Industry and partners: Over 2,700 U.S. companies, European Space Agency.
- Public and workforce: U.S. engineers, scientists, and citizens inspired by the mission.
Notable Implications
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Sens. Cruz and Cantwell) shows rare unity on space policy; promotes U.S. prestige amid global competition.
- Legal/Constitutional: None, as it lacks binding authority and does not alter laws, appropriations, or treaties.
- Cultural: Rekindles wonder in space exploration, emphasizing teamwork, innovation, and peaceful international collaboration.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-28: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2076-2077; text: CR S2085)
- 2026-04-28: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Bill Versions
- Commemorating April 6, 2026, as the day the Artemis II crew surpassed the record for the farthest distance traveled by astronauts into deep space and celebrating the success of the Artemis II mission. — issued 2026-04-28 — PDF (4 pages)