NASA Artemis Moonshot Apollo Reflections

In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Charles M. Duke Jr. collects lunar samples at Station No. 1 during the first Apollo 16 extravehicular activity at the Descartes landing site, April 21, 1972.

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Apollo's impatient old-timers are rooting for NASA's return to the moon with Artemis II launch

Apollo's impatient old-timers are rooting for NASA's return to the moon with Artemis II launch

The people who toiled night and day to put astronauts on the moon during Apollo are thrilled that NASA is finally going back. Now in their 80s and 90s, they just wish these Artemis moonshots had happened sooner while more of Apollo's workforce was still alive. So few of them are left that no reunion is planned to celebrate the upcoming Artemis II flight around the moon with four astronauts. Those who live near Florida's Kennedy Space Center will watch the launch from their backyards. NASA is targeting the first week in April.

NASA begins the countdown for humanity's first launch to the moon in 53 years

NASA begins the countdown for humanity's first launch to the moon in 53 years

The countdown has begun toward humanity’s first launch to the moon in 53 years. NASA’s countdown clocks started ticking late Monday afternoon at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The 32-story Space Launch System rocket is poised to blast off Wednesday evening with four astronauts. After a day in orbit around Earth, their Orion capsule will propel them to the moon and back. NASA says the rocket is doing well after the latest round of repairs. The last time NASA sent astronauts to the moon was during Apollo 17 in 1972.