Cav's Place

The successful launch of Artemis II marks the first time humans are going back to the Moon since 1972… Or, even if you take into account the fact that they won’t even actually orbit the Moon, much less land on it, and consider the Moon as just a point of reference, it’s still the first time since 1972 when humans are leaving Earth’s orbit, and in fact this crew will go farther away from Earth than any other human has ever been. Of course, many things still have to go right for even that to happen, but the hardest parts are usually the launch and landing, and with the launch out of the way, the chances are good that they’ll get there.
Of course, it’s all done for the wrong reasons, and here I’m referring to the entire Moon program, just that this time the competition is with China. But the fact remains, and seeing something like this now, considering what’s going on down here on Earth, can bring a ray of hope that’s so desperately needed. And maybe, just maybe, despite the fact that it’s still a competition, still something actually done against instead of alongside others, it can at least feel like something done by, and for, all of humankind, a symbol of unity at least in theory. Lunar bases and settlements may develop to benefit certain nations and possibly even become a threat to others, but we’re still far from that, this mission falling under space exploration, which is always for all of humanity, even if many don’t see it that way.
And, of course, looking up leads to dreaming about what may be, and about a better future… Or even about having a future at all. And looking down from space brings a perspective that’s so desperately needed, and which the astronauts can share and spread like no others. And if now is not the time for something like that, I don’t know when it could be. So I’ll just take it as another good moment to link to that excellent We Stopped Dreaming (Episode 2) speech, wish the team and crew all the best, and leave it at this for the moment.