The Artemis II crew recently shared their experiences following their groundbreaking ten-day mission to the moon and back, appearing on ‘Good Morning America’ to reflect on the journey.

A Global Connection

Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen expressed immense joy and gratitude that people worldwide connected with their mission. Wiseman described the experience as an ‘adventure of a lifetime.’

Glover, the mission’s pilot, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the overwhelmingly positive response to the mission. The Artemis II flight covered over 690,000 miles, serving as a crucial test of spacecraft systems for future Artemis missions.

Preparing for Future Missions

The mission represents a significant step towards establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface and beyond, with Artemis IV slated to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole in 2028.

Reflecting on the Experience

Mission Specialist Christina Koch highlighted the importance of reflection in the twenty days since their return to Earth on April 10th. The team is focused on processing the experience and expressing gratitude to those who supported the mission.

Koch emphasized the shared beauty of our planet, a perspective profoundly reinforced by their vantage point in space.

Awe-Inspiring Views

Jeremy Hansen, the first Canadian to venture into deep space, described the captivating views from space, noting that the Earth’s beauty never ceased to amaze them. He recalled the crew repeatedly gathering to observe the Earth as they moved further away, summarizing the experience as ‘magnificent.’

A Special Mascot

The mission included a heartwarming element – a zero-gravity indicator named ‘Rise,’ designed by 8-year-old Lucas Ye. Rise served as a playful signal to the crew that they had reached weightlessness.

Lucas's Design

Lucas had the opportunity to ask the astronauts a question about Rise, and Commander Wiseman explained that it was custom-made at Goddard Space Flight Center based on Lucas’s design. He detailed the careful construction of Rise, emphasizing the use of flame-retardant materials for safety.

Wiseman affectionately referred to Rise as their ‘mascot,’ highlighting the emotional connection the crew formed with the symbolic figure.

Looking Ahead

The astronauts are now focused on processing their historic mission and reconnecting with their personal lives. Glover, who celebrated his 50th birthday, expressed his desire to spend quality time with his family and loved ones.