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Their visit on Thursday follows a long-standing tradition – cosmonauts and astronauts have been coming to the UN for decades to talk about peace, international cooperation and our shared global future.
The four-person crew performed the longest manned spaceflight in history, traveling beyond the far side of the Moon and returning safely to Earth after 10 intense, demanding and inspiring days.
In that short time, as the event notes, they “captured the imagination of billions of people” and revived a sense of shared human participation in space exploration.
Tradition and continuity
The General Assembly Building has long welcomed pioneers of the space age, starting with Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova – the first man and woman in space.
Their visit in October 1963 symbolized not only technological progress but also the idea that the cosmos was a realm in which humanity could unite.
Since then, representatives of many countries have repeatedly addressed the international community, emphasizing that space exploration is impossible without cooperation and shared responsibility.
The first man and woman in space, Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin (right) and Valentina Tereshkova (left), were guests of UN Secretary General U Thant (centre) at UN Headquarters in New York
Artemis II continues that legacy. The mission represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a model of international partnership, involving many countries and institutions, including the European Space Agency, with scientific instruments and systems developed by specialists from around the world.
“I had the opportunity to talk to everyone on the way here – by which I mean three fairly normal but high-achieving Americans and a Canadian,” said U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, who hosted the evening discussion in front of an audience of eager earthlings along with the astronauts.
The crew stressed that their job was not only to test the spacecraft, but also to remind people on the ground that humanity can achieve great things if it works together.
Earth from space
For all astronauts, the most memorable experience is seeing Earth from space.
From hundreds of thousands of miles away, the planet appears small, fragile, almost weightless amidst the vast darkness – an image that underscores the uniqueness of Earth and the rarity of life itself.
“I always feel compelled to be grateful for what we see and grateful for what we will ultimately experience,” said pilot Victor Glover.
Astronaut Christina Koch describes a sudden awareness of humanity’s scale in a limitless universe.
“You realize that there really is nothing absolute or guaranteed about this, and there is actually such a thing as a global scale…this scale is our world and what we do with it is our choice.”
Artemis II astronaut gives a thumbs up while traveling to the Moon.
Life on board
Life inside a spaceship is very demanding. The crew must balance experimentation, navigation, system monitoring, and constant adaptation to microgravity.
“One day, I was opening a granola filled with berries. Victor hovered next to me, and when I tore open the package, the granola moved too fast and threw things into the sky, and it kind of stained his shirt.
“And he said, ‘Oh, don’t worry, I got this’. And he took a spoon and started eating it off his shirt,” recalled Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
The Earth rises behind the Moon as depicted from the Artemis II mission.
Back to the Moon
Artemis II is just the beginning of a broader effort. The program aims to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable presence on its surface, and build infrastructure – including a lunar base – to support long-term exploration. These plans are based on the Artemis Accords, a set of international principles that have been endorsed by many countries.
Speaking from the UN platform, the astronauts also addressed the younger generation, encouraging them not to be afraid to ask questions and to listen carefully to the answers.
In closing, the crew emphasized that Artemis II is measured not only by distance or technological achievements.
Space offers a perspective that allows us to see Earth as it is: unique, shared, in need of care – and capable of bringing people together.
“Everyone asks what the Earth looks like from space, and often I answer, this little Earth is an extraordinary place,” concluded Reid Wiseman.
Reach for the stars
Meanwhile, a NASA aerospace engineer who grew up in Tanzania dreams of becoming an astronaut, once thinking it was almost impossible.
Currently, Alinda Mashiku is a Program Manager at the US space agency, where she helps ensure that satellites avoid collisions in orbit, contributing to the safety and sustainability of pioneering space missions such as Artemis II.
In an interview we recorded a few days ago, Ms. Mashiku tells us how she encourages girls to reach for the stars:
