To the Moon (again!)

December 19, 2022

by Jeff Lovewell, Senior Manager of Community Engagement

NASA's Artemis missions are truly groundbreaking, and represent a major step forward for humanity. These missions, which are aimed at returning humans to the Moon, will not only allow us to explore and study our moon, but they will also pave the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.

The Artemis program, named after the Greek goddess of the Moon and twin sister of Apollo, is a testament to our continued fascination and commitment to space exploration. Just this month, after a more than 25 day mission to the Moon, the Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Traveling more than 1.4 million miles, Orion tested the harsh environment of deep space before astronauts make the journey on Artemis II. Its flight test was a major step forward in lunar exploration.

The Artemis mission will see NASA astronauts land on the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. This historic event will be followed by others that will establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and begin to build the infrastructure needed for long-term exploration. These missions are also an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a variety of fields; including robotics, geology, and astronomy.

But perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the Artemis missions is that they will involve the participation of a diverse group of astronauts, including the first woman and the next man to set foot on the Moon. This will not only be a major milestone for women in STEAM fields, but it will also help to inspire the next generation of scientists, dreamers and explorers.

If you’re looking to inspire your future astronaut, a simple pair of binoculars can be used to observe some incredible details of the Lunar surface. Consider starting a moon journal with your kids to learn about the phases and features of our nearest celestial neighbor. Just imagine what will be uncovered.