Artemis II Can Inspire a New Generation to Dream Big

The historic Artemis II mission can reignite the spirit of space exploration and discovery in young people.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, abstract painting in the style of Hilma af Klint, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones, conceptually representing the Artemis II mission's journey to the moon.The Artemis II mission's historic journey around the moon will capture the imagination of a new generation, just as the Apollo 8 mission did decades ago.Phoenix Today

The author reflects on how the Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts farther into space than ever before, can inspire a new generation of young people to dream big and believe in the endless possibilities of human achievement, much like the author's own experience watching the Apollo 8 mission as a child in 1968.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission comes at a time when the nation is facing uncertainty and division, similar to the tumultuous late 1960s. Just as the Apollo 8 mission reignited the author's imagination as a child, Artemis II has the potential to inspire a new generation to believe in humanity's ability to overcome challenges and reach new frontiers.

The details

The author recalls watching the Apollo 8 mission in 1968 from his fourth-grade classroom, where the images of the Earth floating in space mesmerized him and his classmates. The author notes that while color TV was a luxury at the time, the teachers felt the mission was more important than any regular lesson. The author also reflects on how the new images from Artemis II, like those from Apollo 8, give us a fresh perspective on ourselves and our place in the universe.

  • The Artemis II mission will send astronauts farther into space than any humans in history.
  • The author watched the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968 while in fourth grade at Longview Elementary in Phoenix, Arizona.

The players

Mrs. Palmer

The author's fourth-grade teacher at Longview Elementary in Phoenix, Arizona, who felt the Apollo 8 mission was more important than regular lessons.

Katrina Miller

A writer for the New York Times who reflected on the new images of Earth from the Artemis II mission.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There it was: the swirly blue crescent of our planet, with all of humanity — every single one of us, you, me, everyone we know — in tow. It dipped ever lower on the horizon of a lifeless, pockmarked moon, a poignant farewell to the members of the crew as they plunged into silence.”

— Katrina Miller, Writer

What’s next

The Artemis II mission will continue to capture the public's imagination as the astronauts travel farther into space than any humans before them.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission has the potential to reignite the spirit of space exploration and discovery in a new generation of young people, just as the Apollo 8 mission did for the author and his classmates decades ago. By reminding us of our place in the universe and the endless possibilities of human achievement, Artemis II can inspire young people to dream big and believe in their ability to overcome challenges.