NASA’s Artemis II mission is headed to the moon!

Why is theEarth illuminated, if the sun is behind it?

Speaking of possible over there: superconducting technology who leads powerful motors/generators.

Severs without needing of refrigeration.

Laser technology (scales unwilling on earth).

Sure thing with all working good mining and other business being convenient (at least).

Microwave (sending to earth 🥹).

Endless possibilities (need not thinking like small wallets people )respectfully

Victor

It is not clear what is new about this mission to get excited about.

It is said that testing the Orion spacecraft for the first human flight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972 is one objective of the mission. Another is supposed to be preparing for long-term sustainable lunar presence and future Mars missions. But they are only doing fly-by. How does it help in this objective? Calling diverse crews, deep space technologies, and international partnerships as new advancements is not convincing.

Can the astronauts take off and put back their gloves in the space since they were being helped before launch?

How do they wash or clean their bodies in this trip?

You might think that, as an amateur astronomer, I'd be thrilled with the Artemis mission and the entire effort to get humans to the moon and, then Mars. But I'm not. At all. I think it's a terrible waste of money that could be far better spent on new and improved space telescopes and robotic missions to other planets. The people who speak of humanity's "destiny" to populate other worlds seem to be utterly unconnected to the profound misery and suffering of millions of their fellow-humans here on earth. If, and (I hope) when we achieve a stable climate, true peace and justice for the bulk of the world's population, eliminate hunger and preventable diseases, and create societies that embrace freedom, tolerance, and health, THEN I would be willing to see my tax dollars spent on sending humans to the moon and elsewhere. Not before then.

Is there any potential, whether by design or serendipity, for the knowledge generated or technology developed to be useful in addressing climate change?

Thank you.

Some comments raise the question of cost, of course, in the billions. I am happy to see this money being spent for a well thought out plan to establish a permanent base on the Moon for the future exploration of space. The $200B request for the military would be a real waste of money. Better divert that $200B for further scientific research and exploration than more bombs and missiles to kill.

Attributing the desire for a presence in space to the egos of two individuals is very simplistic and simply ignores the reality of the past 150-years of space-and time-based science fiction stories and novels, 70-years of an actual "space race" and the space policies of several national leaders, starting with Khruschev, Eisenhour and Kennedy.

I would rather attribute visons of a space presence to human nature and the same sense of adventure and opportunity that has led explorers throughout the centuries of human existence beyond their known worlds.

Moon will become a research station to refuelling station, mineral harvesting to anything. The responsibility comes with space debris to space pollution in a pristine environment. Any work should be for furthering the humanity and life.

Going to the moon and beyond is a waste of money that would be better spent to make life on Earth better. It serves only the vanity of lunatics such as Trump and Musk who have no compassion or mercy, responsible for the death of millions on earth.

Pharmaceuticals created in low or zero-g are the only good reason beyond new technology invention. Cosmic rays mean lead - and lots of it. Mining requires more expense than it is worth. Space travel is useless unless we give up on dealing with climate change right here. Rich folks can invent lots of their own reasons to leave - up to and including re-seeding with their own offspring offspring. (disclaimer: I was trained by a NASA electronics technician for my most serious and beloved career. So I am not some sort of Luddite waiting for redemption.)

Pictures of the dark side as well as previously landed objects would be fantastic!

My heart was in my throat.

I have very mixed feelings about our venture back into space. Most of the feelings are positive, but there is some not small reservation. It may be that my vision is insufficient to imagine the way forward.

1. What is/are the principal driver(s) for this venture?

2. What is the reality of space as the next frontier?

3. What is the reality of a moon base?

4. Is space a place where we can reasonably expect existing and new technologies to emerge and to flourish?

5. Does our country have the intestinal fortitude for the inevitable mishaps/disasters that are likely to attend meaningful exploration and extraterrestrial development?

We have just seen a mission that is said to cost about $4B to launch 4 people into near-space. Launching materials and a “work-force” into space that will enable the construction, testing, and establishment of just a meaningful moon “base” where a meaningful number of people with appropriate expertise might live and work for months or years at a time seems like an almost unbearable expense, even if all goes forward without mishap. Costs are likely to be in the hundreds of billions of $$$ to just get a moon base operational and sustained, much less to serve as a technology laboratory and/or a jumping off point for Mars or elsewhere.

If we aspire to the “Star Trek” or “Star War” models of space existence, hundreds of people living, building, and servicing space vehicles in space at a space-station transit point and factory, it seems we face a minimum of a century or two of space technology and facilities development and testing. Does our country or humanity have the necessary patience and focus to see the course? Will we require a meaningful boost from artificial general intelligence and robots that have yet to emerge, if ever?

rodmichael

South Dakota

Rod (Eeyore) Michael

South Dakota

It must be a very difficult area to deal with but having seen the picture of the toilet,

could the paper liner be made to fold into the toilet once used, so as to stop any waste from leaving the waste bag. Good Luck guys and gal.

Less than enthused about this mission. Seems like a huge waste of resources. We already sent a robot that performed perfectly. Sending humans, especially 4, when they will not be doing much but enduring 10 days of enforced confinement seems a waste of $5B.

About time. Safe travels.

This is a very significant mission for our human spaceflight program and a morale booster for the new NASA culture that is taking root under the fresh impetus of the new administrator, who is not a career government employee. The only thing that worries me is the cost of SLS...that needs to be trimmed by 10-20X...to make it viable to carry on the Artemis program.

USC ASTE 527 Fall 2025 Astro Studio projects suggest some public-private-partnership options:

https://sites.google.com/a/usc.edu/aste527/

Enjoy!

Exciting is an over statement for an effort that shouldn't have been waylaid by politica of the 70s. It was by far the most unspiring exploration of the post WWII era. The rocketry genius of that time was unmatched since. Saturn was built to take us to Mars, or establish a base on the Moon. We hadn't imagined possible water ice on it, What an adventure and unfolding new science that we missed in 60 years! One geologist spent a total of 3 days on the moon.

I’m very excited about this moon mission since it’s been such a long time, and look forward to seeing what’s on the dark side. Also, how will this prepare us for further trips into the cosmos?