Why on Earth go back to the Moon when we already went there? Why should NASA repeat what it did a half-century ago, especially because astronauts will not actually step on the Moon for several years, and by that time, NASA will have spent about $150 billion more. The most basic reason, I think, is to finally enable all the younger generations, like Gen Z and Millennials, to experience the same awe, the same excitement that we oldies did with the first Apollo Moon missions.
Fifty-seven odd years ago, the Apollo 8 mission stunned everyone on Earth with its circumnavigation of the Moon and astounding images (see above). Alas, I was basically laid up in bed with the Hong Kong flu for the duration of the Apollo 8 mission, so barely got to appreciate it fully at the time.
Full of meds, battling body aches, chills, severe nausea and fever for 8 days, I was unable to partake of any Christmas dinner, far less track the news. Any news. What had I missed? I learned the flight had launched flawlessly on Dec. 21, 1968 with the 3 astronauts: Bill Anders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman - strapped into an 11 foot command module perched atop a 363 ft. Saturn 5 rocket.
Almost 69 hours later, the trio made their historic rendezvous with the Moon. In lunar orbit, 70 miles above its desolate surface they traveled farther than any humans up to that point, capturing unforgettable views of the Moon - including an 'earthrise' image. All of this I had learned, discovered in retrospect.
What the Artemis II (in Greek mythology, Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo) mission did is enable me to experience in real time the excitement (and yes, wonder) I missed in December, 1968. Moreso, because Artemis II was an even more astounding lunar orbit mission which included images of the far side of the Moon never before seen by human eyes. So yeah, it delivered that full measure of wonder and excitement the Hong Flu took away.
That excitement and wonder is also what the younger generations - who weren't around back in the Apollo era - also got to experience with Artemis II. Including captivating imagery, such as one (bottom left) with the Orion command module and the Moon off to the side', and then (lower right) Artemis channeling the Apollo 8's 'earth rise' image with its own earth set
Other fantastic Artemis images include this solo Earth shot (lower left) after it attained trans lunar injection, and the far side of the Moon seen from a camera outside the spacecraft:
Also breathtaking this bottom, detailed image of the far side of the Moon captured during Artemis II's 4,000 mile altitude pass over the surface:
Bear in mind the Artemis lunar program is not simply a do-over of the Apollo moon landings from 1969-72. Artemis itself is larger and more powerful (more thrust, at 8.8 million lbs.) than the Saturn V rocket that helped hurl Apollo astronauts to the Moon. See the Artemis II design below:
Further, Artemis' objective is to lay the ground work for a lunar base as a stepping stone to Mars - perhaps by the late 2030s. It will also help establish a new space station ('Gateway') orbiting the Moon, which will aid that objective. Under the newly revamped Artemis program, next year's Artemis III will see the astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander in orbit around Earth. Then the Artemis IV mission will attempt to land a crew of two astronauts near the Moon's south pole in 2028.
Many exciting missions, expeditions lay ahead and I am happy that the current generations will get to enjoy them all, including a possible landing on Mars in their lifetimes (though not likely in mine). Hopefully, keeping the space tempo going and not being blinded by too much AI or social media obfuscation. This is a time to relish the next great chapter of human space adventures.
See Also:
The Artemis Mission - Back To The Moon - But A Leap Forward In Space Exploration
And:
And:
Commercial Lunar Landing Of 'Odysseus' Should Not Be Hailed As Any "Major" U.S. Space Accomplishment
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