Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen stand in the white room on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 20, 2023. Photographer: NASA/Kim Shiflett
The following blog entry is not a distraction from the ever deepening chaotic, erratic, dangerous, and inappropriate behavior emanating from the current administration. My middle name is not Pollyanna. But life is a “both, and.” So, despite the above reality, I also see beauty, wonder, and awe in us and among us. Something to celebrate.
I tend towards being a “big picture” person which explains my attraction to and fascination with the most recent space outing. The Artemis II astronauts made universal history with their historic 252,756 mile voyage from earth before looping back towards our home planet – not exactly just a “walk in the park” outing. Actually, the super-smart NASA space team estimated they traveled 695,081 miles total distance from liftoff to splashdown. Awesome.
The four astronauts reflected a diversity not always seen in the US: Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch (female), Pilot Victor Glover (minority), and Mission Specialist Jeremey Hansen (Canadian Space Agency). Our President may not be speaking to the Prime Minister of Canada, but astronaut Jeremy Hansen got along quite well with his American colleagues.
What spoke to me, touched me – seeing this spectacular space adventure is similar to what I experienced when the two astronauts, Butch and Sunni, who had an extended stay at the International Space Station (June 2024 – March 2025) – is how the astronauts see the “much bigger picture.” Theirs is literally a transcendent moment, a sacred moment, a moment of profound awe.
Earthset captured through the Orion spacecraft window at 6:41 p.m. EDT, April 6, 2026, during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon. A muted blue Earth with bright white clouds sets behind the cratered lunar surface. The dark portion of Earth is experiencing nighttime. On Earth’s day side, swirling clouds are visible over the Australia and Oceania region. Photographer: NASA
The experience is not just the overwhelming vastness in which they are immersed. It is so much more than that. Their experience is one of deep bonding and friendship. To note: Commander Wiseman lost his wife, Carroll, to cancer, leaving Commander Wiseman a single dad with two daughters. The team named a moon crater “Carroll” in memory of his wife, sealed with a group hug.
To any quasi-grinches out there wondering why we are spending dollars on space exploration, a quote from a recent Chicago Tribune editorial states it clearly. Goals of this mission include “preparing humanity to live and work on the Moon,” a steppingstone for future trips elsewhere – to Mars. As NASA sees it, “science enables exploration, and exploration enables science.” The editorial continues, “A mission like Artemis II is not just symbolic but expands what humanity knows and what it is capable of doing next. Artemis is about growth and advancement, charting new territory, very much in keeping with the America’s pioneering history and spirit.” (Chicago Tribune, 4/12/26).
I would like to close with words from Canadian astronaut, Jeremy Hansen. He spoke of three emotions he experienced during this spectacular trip:
Gratitude to be part of this mission; gratitude to have worked with three outstanding astronauts.
Joy with being part of this historic expedition and joy with the three other team members.
Love for the love and friendship that the four astronauts shared in their time together.
As we continue on our own more ordinary expeditions here in “inner” space, let us walk with Gratitude, Joy, and Love with one another.
Bridget
The Annunciation Blog 