House Science Committee

Approaching the near side of the Moon. The Artemis II astronauts have surpassed the record for the distance from Earth at 1:56 ET (1756 UTC). This record was previously set during the Apollo 13 mission when the astronauts traveled 248,655 miles from Earth. The Moon continues to grow larger and larger in the windows of the Orion spacecraft as the Artemis II mission gears up to observe the far side. The astronauts are predicted to make their closest approach of the Moon around 7:02pm ET (2302 UTC).

Happy Easter from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee! Wishing you a joyful season of renewal, hope, and inspiration.

Good morning, world! 🌎 We have spectacular new high-resolution images of our home planet, all of us looking back through the Orion capsule window at our Artemis II astronauts as they continue their journey to the Moon.

Congratulations, @NASA, on a successful launch. Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy—America is praying for you. Godspeed, and onward for all humanity.

For the first time in over 50 years, humans are Moonbound. At 6:35 p.m. EDT (2235 UTC) NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft lifted off from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending four astronauts on a planned test flight around the Moon and back. go.nasa.gov/4tlRfRS

We have liftoff! 🚀

For over half a century, the dream of deep space exploration has lived in the hearts of the American people. Today, that dream is alive again. Artemis II represents a declaration that America still leads and still believes in the power of human ingenuity to shape the future. To the astronauts embarking on this historic journey: you carry with you the hopes of a nation. We wish you strength and a safe return home. Congratulations on the mission ahead. America is with you every step of the way.

It doesn’t get more American than a donut and a rocket launch. Thanks for the support, @krispykreme! Go Artemis II!

TONIGHT @NASA launches Artemis II, sending four astronauts into deep-space. “Artemis is the most consequential step yet in proving the technologies needed for a sustained human presence on the moon and, soon, missions to Mars and beyond,” @RepBrianBabin @housescience told @DailySignal dailysignal.com/2026/03/31/spa…

In T-6 hours, the Orion capsule, sitting on top of @NASA’s Space Launch System, will take astronauts further into deep space than ever before.

Why does the Moon still matter? 
Returning to the Moon drives innovation, advances exploration, and keeps America leading in space.

This week, for the first time in more than half a century, four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—will lead humanity back into deep space. During this historic 10-day mission orbiting the Moon, they will put the Orion spacecraft and other critical systems to the test, paving the way for future lunar landings. Chairman @RepBrianBabin and the entire @housescience Committee every success and pray for their safe return.

1903: America takes flight. 1969: America reaches the Moon. Only 66 years apart. This week: we go back. American ingenuity, nothing else comes close. 🇺🇸

50 years after Americans last journeyed to the Moon, we’re going back. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new era.

CSF President @davecavossa testified before the @housescience this week about commercial space stations and the commercial LEO economy. Watch the full hearing and read our testimony here: science.house.gov/hearingsConten…

Over 40 years ago, as an oceanography major at the @NavalAcademy, I met Dr. Robert Ballard when he addressed our class about his discovery of the Titanic. Yesterday, we met again, this time with me as Chair of the @housescience Environment Subcommittee and him providing testimony as an expert witness. Dr. Ballard is a real life “Indiana Jones” and national treasure whose countless underwater archaeological and marine geological discoveries have arguably done more to unlock the mysteries of the ocean depths than any other explorer, past or present. As André Gide said, “You can’t discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”  Thank you, Doc, for your lifelong example of the enduring value of exploration.

China isn’t playing by the same rules—and it shows in its expansion in deep-sea mining activities.

Yesterday, Subcommittee Chairman @RepFranklin warned what that means for U.S. leadership and why partnering with the private sector is key to staying ahead in ocean exploration.

Earlier today at our Environment Subcommittee hearing, Chairman @RepBrianBabin highlighted the growing threat China poses to critical mineral supply chains—and how deep-sea mining could help strengthen American independence.