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Photos Provided by NASA/Joel Kowsky and Cody Kelly
April 13, 2026
From the Hill Country to the Heavens: Bandera native plays vital role in historic Artemis II moon mission
By Nicole Flowers
They say "Cowboy Capital of the World" for a reason, but one local alumnus is proving that Bandera’s reach extends far beyond the rodeo arena—all the way to the lunar surface.
As the world watched the historic Artemis II spacecraft splashdown safely in the Pacific Ocean this past Friday, April 10, a familiar face was at the heart of the recovery operations. Cody Kelly, a proud graduate of the Bandera High School Class of 2006, served as a key architect in the mission's success, proving that big dreams often have humble beginnings in the Texas Hill Country.
A Journey 20 Years in the Making
Cody’s path to NASA wasn't an overnight flight. It began nearly two decades ago when he joined the Orion program as an intern in 2007. Through years of dedication, he has risen to become the Deputy for National Affairs in the Search and Rescue Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
His specific expertise? Keeping the astronauts safe. Cody has spent much of his career designing the very emergency and rescue systems that ensure our explorers return home to their families.
The Moment of Impact
On Friday afternoon, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, the Artemis II crew completed its 10-day journey around the moon. Standing aboard the recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha off the coast of California, Cody was on the front lines as the Orion capsule hit the water.
"Cody is proof to every Bandera student that no dream is too big, and no hometown is too small to help change the world," said a representative of the Bandera ISD community.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Bulldogs
The Artemis II mission is more than just a scientific feat; it is the first time humans have traveled to the vicinity of the Moon in over fifty years, paving the way for the first woman and person of color to walk on the lunar surface. For Bandera students, Cody’s involvement turns a global milestone into a local reality.
His journey from the halls of BHS to the deck of a NASA recovery ship serves as a powerful testament to the community:
Passion: Cody turned a 2007 Orion internship into a career of historical significance.
Purpose: His work directly impacts the safety of the world's most daring explorers.
Pride: He remains a "Bulldog" at heart, representing Bandera on the global stage.
“Your Bulldog family is cheering you on with full hearts,” the community shared in a recent tribute. As NASA looks toward the future of lunar exploration, Bandera can look toward the stars with a little extra pride. Cody’s success is a victory for our entire community, reminding us that no matter how far our journeys take us—even 240,000 miles away—"We Are One."
As the world watched the historic Artemis II spacecraft splashdown safely in the Pacific Ocean this past Friday, April 10, a familiar face was at the heart of the recovery operations. Cody Kelly, a proud graduate of the Bandera High School Class of 2006, served as a key architect in the mission's success, proving that big dreams often have humble beginnings in the Texas Hill Country.
A Journey 20 Years in the Making
Cody’s path to NASA wasn't an overnight flight. It began nearly two decades ago when he joined the Orion program as an intern in 2007. Through years of dedication, he has risen to become the Deputy for National Affairs in the Search and Rescue Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
His specific expertise? Keeping the astronauts safe. Cody has spent much of his career designing the very emergency and rescue systems that ensure our explorers return home to their families.
The Moment of Impact
On Friday afternoon, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, the Artemis II crew completed its 10-day journey around the moon. Standing aboard the recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha off the coast of California, Cody was on the front lines as the Orion capsule hit the water.
"Cody is proof to every Bandera student that no dream is too big, and no hometown is too small to help change the world," said a representative of the Bandera ISD community.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Bulldogs
The Artemis II mission is more than just a scientific feat; it is the first time humans have traveled to the vicinity of the Moon in over fifty years, paving the way for the first woman and person of color to walk on the lunar surface. For Bandera students, Cody’s involvement turns a global milestone into a local reality.
His journey from the halls of BHS to the deck of a NASA recovery ship serves as a powerful testament to the community:
Passion: Cody turned a 2007 Orion internship into a career of historical significance.
Purpose: His work directly impacts the safety of the world's most daring explorers.
Pride: He remains a "Bulldog" at heart, representing Bandera on the global stage.
“Your Bulldog family is cheering you on with full hearts,” the community shared in a recent tribute. As NASA looks toward the future of lunar exploration, Bandera can look toward the stars with a little extra pride. Cody’s success is a victory for our entire community, reminding us that no matter how far our journeys take us—even 240,000 miles away—"We Are One."