Providing diversity and furthering space exploration, the Artemis II mission successfully sent four astronauts, including one from the Canadian Space Agency and one woman, into space April 1-11.
Breaking many records after circling around the Moon, this 10-day mission was a “test flight [that] will confirm the systems necessary to support astronauts in deep space exploration and prepare to establish a sustained presence on the Moon,” according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The significance of this mission has had an impact on students’ futures.
Senior Ryan Gilbert, who will be attending Riddle Aeronautical University and majoring in aerospace engineering this fall, believes this operation was thrilling to finally happen due to its delays.
“[NASA] continuously delayed this mission because they had noticed a lot of issues, even on Artemis I,” Gilbert said.
According to Gilbert, “It’s extremely important that the civilization community uses it to branch out and further its horizons.”
Souderton alumni Rick Gradwell, who is a history major at Montgomery County Community College, believes that this mission’s significance is “the next big frontier.”
“I would hope they’d contribute to our understanding. I believe more emissions on the Moon and more analysis of it provided with the greater understanding, especially if we can find traces of life on other planets,” Gradwell said.
Gradwell hopes that space exploration continues, and the impact of this successful mission will influence more operations and opportunities to explore.
“I’m especially hoping we see some more missions soon with students that could be me or you,” Gradwell said.
Similar to Gradwell, NASA believes “this mission will verify Orion’s life support systems can sustain astronauts on longer-duration missions ahead and allow the crew to practice operations essential to Artemis III and beyond.”
Astronomy Club advisor Patrick Murphy is happy with the launch.
“It’s awesome what NASA is doing this. [Being] able to send people the distance of the Moon is super exciting,” Murphy said.
He believes this mission is an “endeavor for humans to accomplish.”
University of Virginia Today editor Matt Kelly wrote about how important this mission is and how new knowledge can be gained through this experience.
“Traveling outside the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field creates unique challenges,” Kelly said.
According to Kelly, NASA’s overall goal is to “establish a more constant presence of humans on or near the Moon to prepare for even more difficult missions, such as to Mars.”
Murphy feels that not only does this mission influence students, but it could also be the “future steps for space travel and space exploration.”
NASA agrees.
“The first crewed Artemis flight marks a key step toward long‑term return to the Moon and future missions to Mars,” NASA said.