They're home!
A perfect splashdown, a successful mission, an exceptional crew, and a world enthralled by this special moment.
MOON JOY: A young boy wearing an astronaut costume expressed what the rest of us felt at the moment the Orion space capsule carrying the four Artemis II astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Friday night. There was quite a crowd behind him at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Moon joy, indeed. (Apu Gomes/AFP)
In my last Fast Forward, I included several quotes from the astronauts as they marveled at their views of the Earth, the Moon, and everything in between during their record-breaking flight. But there was one I inadvertently omitted, and now that they are home, it seems apropos for the moment.
It came from Mission Specialist Christina Koch as Artemis II regained contact with Earth after looping around the dark side of the Moon.
It is so great to hear from Earth again. To Asia, Africa, and Oceania, we are looking back at you. We hear you can look up and see the moon right now. We see you, too.
When we burned this burn toward the Moon, I said that we do not leave Earth, but we choose it. And that is true. We will explore. We will build. We will build ships. We will visit again. We will construct science outposts. We will drive rovers. We will do radio astronomy. We will found companies. We will bolster industry. We will inspire.
But ultimately, we will always choose Earth. We will always choose each other.
Have a joyful weekend.
Artemis II is inspiring and gives us all hope. In practical terms, think how we can use our tax dollars for scientific exploration rather than for an unwanted war. Thanks, Teresa!!
Listening to everyone ‘on & off earth’, the underlying belief that humanity is one entity, not a bunch of battling ‘humans’, has been a dose of good will ‘earth’ needs right now.