The last time America stepped foot on the Moon was in 1972, nearly 54 years ago. And while we’ve yet to go back, the final step before we can return to the lunar surface, just blasted off.
Artemis II is a manned mission that will conduct a fly-by of the Moon, testing the viability of another manned mission to the lunar surface, of which NASA hasn’t done since that Apollo mission in 1972.
Around 6:30 PM ET on Wednesday, Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with millions around the world watching.
The mission and crew include many firsts. The crew consists of the first woman, African-American, and Canadian astronaut to orbit the moon.
Jeremy Hansen, from London, Ontario, is the first non-American astronaut; and by virtue the first Canadian, to exit low-earth orbit and be within the vicinity of the Moon.
Christina Koch, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the first Woman to travel to the vicinity of the Moon. The late Christa McCauliffe would’ve been the first woman to leave low-earth orbit, however she lost her life in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.
Victor Glover, from Pomona, California, is the first African-American to leave low-earth orbit and to be within the vicinity of the Moon.
Reid Wiseman, from Baltimore, Maryland, is the commander of the Artemis II mission. Wiseman has been in NASA since 2009.
Each crew member had things to say before the mission.
Koch said the following.
“The Apollo program still just absolutely blows me away… [but] there is no way we could be that same mission or ever hope to even be.”
Hansen said the following.
“Canada, I am thinking of you, and I am hoping that all of you see your greatness reflected in this journey around the moon. I am just so proud of all of you.”
Glover said the following.
“If we can contribute a little bit to hope for humanity, that is a huge thing”. On the nature of exploration, he added, “Pushing ourselves to explore is core to who we are… We go out to explore, to learn where we are, why we are, understanding the big questions about our place in the universe.”
Wiseman said the following.
“Nothing but gratitude for the men and women of this great nation. It is time to fly.”
As of 9:00 AM ET on April 2, the mission is still ongoing. Artemis II is projected to return to Earth on April 11.
Artemis II is one small step for man’s return to the Moon.
