Community Chat

[Oznell]

@beach-mom ,  I think it's so important in the progression of our space exploration.  Hard to believe it's been over 53 years since our last orbit of the moon with a manned crew.  And, as your DH indicated, it's a prelude to another moon landing.  So much is gleaned from each of these expeditions.

Nice that this renewed impetus occurs during our 250th birthday year, too.

As others have said, it was a dramatic launch.  Grammy nominee Anne Wilson gave an emotional rendition of the national anthem against the backdrop of the late day sky:

[Oznell]

Still praying that they'll stay up as long as they are supposed to, and come down the way that they want to!

Can just imagine the mixture of pride and concern that the astronauts' families must be feeling this whole time...

[pugvette74]

@Oznell I watched it on TV. It gave me chills. It was amazing!!!

[Estellee]

I'm looking forward to some of the photos they take during their voyage.

[Nancy Drew]

Fun fact. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson is the First female launch director in history. I personally want the most qualified on the job but it is nice when a female is that person especially first.

[Oznell]

It just keeps getting better and better.  I love seeing the varying shots.  This above was described as a view that the astronauts had of the earth.  At first glance, I thought it was the moon!  Pictures in our vast universe bring a special kind of awe, and gratitude.

On their incredible trip, they are said to be going to "sling-shot" around the moon...  NASA is indeed a far-sighted entity.

A fascinating bonus-- passengers on a "regular" airplane were able to take their own shots of the launch...

[Oznell]

As background to this historic expedition, CSPAN 2 is devoting much of their Saturday schedule to the space program.  Great way to record and get a crash course in it while following Artemis II.

Just a few of the offerings on Saturday-- 

8:28 a.m. Eastern-- History of the Space Program

2:27 p.m. Eastern-- CSPAN Tours the National Air and Space Museum

5:00 p.m. Eastern-- History of the Space Shuttle Program

But there's much more all day.

[tansy]

Having experienced the original moon landing, I am not excited. I would like us to take care of our planet 🌎 

[Sooner]

---

@tansy wrote:

Having experienced the original moon landing, I am not excited. I would like us to take care of our planet 🌎 

---

@tansy Our planet doesn't care what we do.  It has seen 'em come and go.  And it will survive.  It's our way of life that is up for grabs and since so many nations like China have upgraded their standard of living, pollution is a problem that isn't going away soon.  They went from bicycles to motorized bikes to cars.  And you can't stop it.  I have no answer for that because this country is not the top source of the problem.

India and China way outpace us.  Can you fix that?  I have no answer, but some random thoughts I have.  No judgment here, just musings.