BHS grad helps bring Artemis II astronauts home

A graduate of Bandera Independent School District is playing a role in one of NASA’s most significant modern missions, helping safely return astronauts from a historic journey around the Moon.

Cody Kelly, a member of the Bandera High School Class of 2006, serves as deputy for national affairs in the Search and Rescue Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

In that role, he contributed to recovery operations for Artemis II, which launched April 1 and carried four astronauts on a roughly 10-day mission around the Moon before returning to Earth.

The mission concluded April 10 at 5:07 p.m. PDT with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, marking a major step in NASA’s efforts to return humans to the lunar surface and eventually reach Mars.

Kelly’s involvement in Artemis missions dates back nearly two decades.

He first worked on the Orion spacecraft as an intern in 2007 and has since helped design crew emergency and recovery systems critical to astronaut safety.

According to NASA mission coverage, recovery operations require extensive coordination between NASA teams and the U.S. Navy.

After reentry, the Orion capsule descends by parachute and splashes down in the ocean, where recovery crews secure the spacecraft, assess hazards and assist astronauts as they exit the capsule.

Kelly previously participated in recovery efforts for Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight in 2022, and has taken part in multiple large-scale rehearsals to prepare for crewed missions. NASA officials describe the recovery phase as one of the most complex and high-stakes portions of the mission.

For Artemis II, Kelly was aboard the USS John P. Murtha as teams prepared to receive the returning astronauts off the coast of California.

Bandera ISD officials said Kelly’s accomplishments highlight the impact of local graduates on global efforts in science and exploration.

“Big dreams can begin in a small town like Bandera,” the district said in a statement, noting Kelly’s career as an example for current students.

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years and is intended to pave the way for future lunar landings.