Artemis II astronauts on Saturday expressed awe over their record-setting lunar flyby mission, calling for unity on Earth after witnessing the planet’s isolation as a “lifeboat” in space, news agency AFP reported.
The crew made the remarks at a news conference as NASA marked the success of the mission, taking a victory lap following its completion.
The astronauts completed the first slingshot around the Moon in more than 50 years and travelled deeper into space than any humans before, culminating in a smooth splashdown off the coast of California on Friday.
Flanked by mission commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, astronaut Christina Koch called for humanity on Earth to recognise its shared existence.
“What struck me wasn`t necessarily just Earth, it was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe,” said Koch.
“There`s one new thing I know and that is: Planet Earth — you are a crew.”
Astronauts highlight milestones as Artemis II captures stunning lunar visuals
Hansen urged supporters of the Artemis mission to see themselves reflected in the crew of four, which achieved multiple milestones: Glover became the first person of colour to fly around the Moon, Koch the first woman, and Canadian Hansen the first non-American.
“I would suggest to you that when you look up here, you`re not looking at us. We are a mirror reflecting you,” Hansen said, adding, “And if you like what you see, then just look a little deeper. This is you.”
During their deep-space journey and lunar flyby, the Artemis astronauts captured thousands of photographs, creating a significant visual record of the mission.
They also observed a solar eclipse along with meteorite impacts on the lunar surface.
“Artemis II will always be remembered. It was the moment we all saw the moon again, where childhood dreams became missions. You helped the world start believing again, and this is something no one`s ever going to forget,” NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said.
Artemis II marks the first crewed mission under NASA’s programme aimed at establishing a sustained presence on the Moon, including the eventual construction of a base for further exploration, including missions to Mars.
NASA is aiming for a potential crewed return to the lunar surface as early as 2028.
(With AFP inputs)
Artemis II crew calls Earth a ‘lifeboat’, urges global unity
