Apollo Veterans Impatiently Await NASA's Artemis II Moon Return
The individuals who dedicated endless nights and days to landing astronauts on the moon during the Apollo era are filled with anticipation as NASA prepares for the Artemis II launch. However, many of these seasoned experts wish the return to lunar exploration had occurred earlier, while more of their colleagues were still alive to witness it.
Now in their 80s and 90s, the surviving members of NASA's greatest generation are dwindling in number. So few remain from the original 400,000 workforce that no reunion is planned to celebrate the upcoming Artemis II flight, scheduled for as early as April 1. Those residing near Florida's Kennedy Space Center will observe the launch from their own backyards.
Frustration Over Delays and Lost Momentum
Charlie Mars, aged 90, who contributed to Apollo's command and lunar modules and helped found the American Space Museum in Titusville, reflects on the unique energy of the past. "Because it was the first time, there was an energy. There was a passion that probably is not exactly the same today and hasn't been for a while," he remarked.
Retired engineer JoAnn Morgan, the sole woman inside launch control during Apollo 11's historic mission, remains bitter about the cancellation of the last three Apollo moon landings under President Richard Nixon due to budget cuts and shifting priorities. "I'm just trying to stay alive so I can see us actually get back and step foot on the moon," she stated. "I'm 85 and still feeling cheated after 53 years."
Mars echoed this sentiment, joking, "It's a good thing I'm not in charge, because I would be out there beating the bushes and whipping up on people to get moving."
New Era with Increased Diversity and Accelerated Pace
A significant change in the Artemis program is the inclusion of women in pivotal roles. NASA's Artemis launch director is Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, and the Artemis II crew features Christina Koch, who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman at 328 consecutive days in orbit. Morgan noted, "It will be even greater when they actually have a woman who plants her boots on the moon."
Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke pointed out that half the world's population was not yet born when he walked on the moon in 1972. NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire who has funded his own spaceflights, is among this younger generation. At 43, Isaacman is pushing to accelerate Artemis launches to match Apollo's speed and safety record, deeming the current once-every-three-years flight rate unacceptable.
He has introduced a test flight in Earth's orbit to practice docking with lunar landers and recently unveiled a blueprint for a $20 billion moon base over the next seven years, complete with lunar drones and rovers. Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA's self-described "moon base guy," promises "cool cameras" on all equipment to boost public excitement.
Competition with China and Revised Strategies
In the short term, NASA's primary objective is to outpace China in reaching the lunar surface, aiming for a crewed landing in 2028 compared to China's target of 2030. This echoes the Cold War space race, where the U.S. surpassed the Soviet program by landing 12 astronauts between 1969 and 1972.
John Tribe, 90, who managed spacecraft propulsion for Apollo, views NASA's updated Artemis plan as "a whole lot more sensible" than previous approaches. "The other approach was ridiculous," he said. "Whether we're going to beat the Chinese back, I don't know."
Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart also approves of the revamped Artemis program but doubts it can replicate Apollo's excitement. "We can all recall Columbus," he noted via email, "but who can remember who came along 50 years afterward?"
Hope for Renewed Enthusiasm Among Younger Generations
Duke, one of only four living moonwalkers, believes the thrill of Apollo will resurface once Artemis astronauts begin landing, particularly for younger audiences who missed the original missions. "If the first ones are successful and we start landing at the south pole," he said, "I think millions are going to be watching that. I know I will if I'm still here."
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