Artemis II Crew Named Recipients of Stephen Hawking Medal

The honor will be formally presented on October 17, 2026, at the opening of the STARMUS VIII festival in Tenerife. Organizers selected the crew for their ability to bridge the gap between abstract scientific milestones and public understanding, utilizing social media, live outreach, and direct engagement to demystify the risks and teamwork inherent in their mission.

By highlighting the human element of deep-space travel, the crew effectively extended the reach of the Artemis program beyond the walls of aerospace facilities. STARMUS co-founder Garik Israelian noted that the astronauts did not simply orbit the Moon; they brought millions of people along for the journey, embodying the core mission of the medal established by Stephen Hawking in 2016.

This year’s ceremony holds additional weight as it marks the 10th anniversary of the award. The Artemis II crew joins a roster of notable figures including Buzz Aldrin, Jane Goodall, and Sir Ridley Scott, who is also a recipient in 2026. The event serves as a symbolic link between the legacy of the Apollo era and the current generation of explorers, underscored by the involvement of partners like OMEGA, which has produced a commemorative Speedmaster to mark the occasion. The festival, themed "The Search for Truth," will conclude with a performance featuring Andrea Bocelli and Brian May.