Previous NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley, right, are seen after being awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by Vice President Kamala Harris during an event in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Tuesday, January 31, 2023, in Washington. Former astronauts Behnken and Hurley were awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor for their bravery in NASAs SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 to the International Space Station in 2020, the first crewed flight as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. The Demo-2 test flight for NASAs Commercial Crew Program was the first to provide astronauts to the International Space Station and return them securely to Earth onboard a commercially built and operated spacecraft. Behnken and Hurley returned after investing 64 days in space.
Previous NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley, right, are seen after being awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by Vice President Kamala Harris throughout an event in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Tuesday, January 31, 2023, in Washington. Former astronauts Behnken and Hurley were granted the Congressional Space Medal of Honor for their bravery in NASAs SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 to the International Space Station in 2020, the first crewed flight as part of the firms Commercial Crew Program. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
On behalf of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris granted former NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Tuesday for their bravery in NASAs SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) to the International Space Station in 2020. Hurley and Behnken are the very first receivers of the honor since 2006 and accepted the awards throughout a televised event in Washington.
” Bob and Doug, together, have actually composed the first page of a brand-new chapter in the history of American spaceflight,” said Harris, who chairs the National Space Council. “Bob and Doug represent the best of our country– theres no question about it. The courage; the dedication; the brilliance; the vision; the ability to see and understand what is possible and then to go all out, represents the best of who we are as a nation.”
NASAs first commercial team astronauts (front to back) Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are envisioned in January during tests inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle. Credit: SpaceX
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was licensed by Congress in 1969 to recognize an astronaut who in the performance of tasks has actually differentiated himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the nation and mankind. The honor now has been granted to 30 people, including the teams of the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia catastrophes who got the award posthumously.
Astronauts Douglas Hurley (left) and Robert Behnken before boarding the Gulfstream jet that will bring them to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/James Blair
” The American story is about innovation, exploration, and pioneers who create ahead. And Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken represent the American story,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “When Doug and Bob launched into history, a new age of human spaceflight took flight. The Demo-2 mission showcased American leadership and technological ingenuity and influenced countless minds to attempt to dream to fly among the stars. Congratulations to Doug and Bob on this well-deserved honor!”
The Demo-2 test flight for NASAs Commercial Crew Program was the very first to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station and return them securely to Earth onboard a commercially built and run spacecraft. Behnken and Hurley returned after investing 64 days in space.
On May 30, 2020, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the businesss Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off to the space station, marking the first mission to introduce with astronauts as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. Demo-2, an objective more than a years in the making, was the very first time American astronauts had actually introduced from American soil on an American rocket given that the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.