NASA’s Johnson Space Center was front and center Jan. 4, 2026, as the Houston Texans faced the Indianapolis Colts during Space City Day at NRG Stadium. Fans watched the Texans win while getting a close look at NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Artemis campaign.
The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen—around the Moon and back to Earth to test Orion spacecraft systems in deep space and help lay the groundwork for future lunar missions.
NASA connected fans with the agency’s next giant leap, reinforcing Space City’s role in shaping the future of human exploration.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center employees hold the American flag on the field during the national anthem at NRG Stadium in Houston.Image courtesy of the Houston TexansBefore kickoff, 27 Johnson employees helped unfurl the U.S. flag for the national anthem, marking the start of an evening that blended football, exploration, and Houston pride.
Johnson employees gather on the BULLevard to share the excitement of space exploration with football fans.On the BULLevard, Johnson employees engaged with fans at a NASA activation area, where visitors explored the agency’s Mobile Exhibit Trailer and learned more about Artemis II. Team members answered questions and shared how NASA is preparing to send humans back to the Moon.
From left, Johnson Community Engagement Lead Jessica Cordero, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche, NASA Flight Controller Jonathan Guthmiller wearing the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), Multimedia Developer Jessica Krenzel, and NASA Flight Controller Sarah Hill stand together during the outdoor engagement on the BULLevard outside NRG Stadium.Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche and NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins visited the exhibit and the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program booth, where they greeted team members and thanked volunteers supporting the event.
The International Space Station Program joined the celebration with a prerecorded message from the Expedition 74 crew, marking over 25 years of continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
The Expedition 74 crew aboard the International Space Station deliver a prerecorded message to fans on the stadium jumbotron during the Houston Texans’ Space City Day game.“Even from 250 miles above the Earth, we’re proud to represent Houston and celebrate the mission of this incredible city on and off the field,” said NASA astronaut Mike Fincke.
“Today’s game reminds us how connected Houston, NASA, and the Texans truly are,” said NASA astronaut Zena Cardman.
Cardman highlighted how research aboard the International Space Station has led to innovations that benefit life on Earth, including applications now used in sports and athletic safety. Advances in materials developed for spacesuits and astronaut protection have influenced the design of modern helmets and padding, while cooling technologies originally created for extreme environments are used in training gear and protective equipment.
“Space innovation doesn’t remain in orbit, sometimes it ends up on the 50-yard line.”
NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, center, and Johnson employees Tessa Rundle and Daniel Kolodziejcyk, wearing Orion Crew Survival System spacesuits, take the field during the Texans’ “Reppin’ H-Town” appearance. Image courtesy of the Houston Texans Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche waves to fans after participating in the ceremonial coin toss.Image courtesy of the Houston TexansJessica Watkins took the field for the Texans’ “Reppin’ H-Town” appearance, joined by Johnson employees Tessa Rundle and Daniel Kolodziejcyk wearing NASA’s Orion Crew Survival System spacesuits. The bright orange pressure suits are designed to protect astronauts during launch, flight, and reentry aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
The pregame continued with Center Director Vanessa Wyche joining the festivities on the field and participating in the ceremonial coin toss, where she called heads.
About 30 seconds into halftime, the Artemis Fueling the Fire video played on the stadium jumbotron, sharing NASA’s plans to return humans to the Moon and marking a major step in the agency’s Moon to Mars campaign.
Center Director Vanessa Wyche and NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins are interviewed on the field during halftime.The video led into a live interview with Vanessa Wyche and Jessica Watkins, where Wyche discussed the Artemis II mission and Watkins highlighted similarities between astronaut training and football training. At the conclusion of the interview, the host invited fans to take part in NASA’s “Send Your Name with Artemis II” initiative, which allows the public to have their names stored on a small chip aboard the Orion spacecraft during the mission. Participants receive a digital boarding pass and virtual guest access to select NASA launches. While the names remain stored electronically inside the spacecraft, the effort symbolically gives participants a place on Orion’s journey around the Moon.
Image courtesy of the Houston Texans Image courtesy of the Houston Texans NASA/James Blair Image courtesy of the Houston Texans NASA/James BlairExplore More
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