Artemis II Moon Mission Sparks Memories of Past Space Triumphs and Tragedies

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In this personal essay, veteran journalist Ray Hanania recounts his childhood memories of the early space race between the U.S. and Soviet Union, from hiding under desks during nuclear bomb drills to watching the first American astronauts launch into space. He reflects on how the successes and tragedies of the space program, from the Moon landings to the Challenger and Columbia disasters, have left a lasting impact. As the Artemis II mission takes astronauts around the Moon, Hanania expresses hope that the renewed focus on space exploration could help heal America's current political divisions.

Why it matters

The space program has long been a source of national pride and unity for Americans, transcending partisan politics. As the country faces deep political polarization, the author believes the Artemis II mission and future Moon exploration could reignite that sense of shared purpose and inspiration that defined the earlier space race.

The details

Hanania recounts his childhood experiences growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, when the threat of nuclear war and the space race with the Soviet Union dominated the news. He describes the regular nuclear bomb drills at his elementary school, his confusion over terms like the "Van Allen Radiation Belt," and the excitement he felt watching the first American astronauts launch into space. The author also shares personal memories of learning about the Apollo 1 tragedy, watching the live broadcasts of the Moon landings, and being in the Chicago Sun-Times offices when the Challenger disaster unfolded.

• In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite.
• In January 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that America would land a man on the Moon before the end of the 1960s.
• In May 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space.
• In February 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.
• In July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon.
• In January 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch.
• In February 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry.
• In 2011, the final Space Shuttle mission took place.
• In April 2023, the Artemis II mission launched four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight of the new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future Artemis missions that aim to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon.