Artemis II Redefines Space Exploration for New Generation of Astronomers

BU alumni and students reflect on the significance of NASA's latest lunar mission

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract painting in soft, earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, representing the complex forces and concepts of space exploration without the use of any text or symbols.The Artemis II mission has reignited a sense of wonder and possibility for the future of space exploration among the next generation of astronomers and scientists.Boston Today

NASA's Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission has inspired a new generation of astronomers and space enthusiasts, including Boston University alumni and current students. The mission, which launched on April 1 and splashed down on April 10, marked a major milestone in human space exploration, with the Orion spacecraft traveling farther from Earth than any previous human mission. BU alumni, faculty, and students discuss the mission's impact and how it is redefining the future of space exploration.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission represents a shift in NASA's focus, moving beyond the International Space Station and lower Earth orbit to longer-range exploration of the Moon and eventually Mars. This renewed interest in human spaceflight has captured the imagination of current BU students, who grew up during the tail end of the space shuttle program and are now excited to see the potential of what manned missions to the Moon and beyond could mean for the future of space exploration.

The details

Artemis II was the second mission in NASA's larger Artemis campaign to establish opportunities for human exploration of the Moon and eventually Mars. The four-person crew included three NASA astronauts and one Canadian Space Agency astronaut. The mission launched on April 1 and splashed down off the coast of California on April 10, with the Orion spacecraft traveling farther from Earth than any previous human mission. BU alumni, faculty, and students say the mission's success and media attention have helped inspire the next generation of astronomers and space enthusiasts, reminding them of the potential of collaborative space exploration.

  • Artemis II launched on April 1, 2026.
  • The Orion spacecraft splashed down off the California coast on April 10, 2026.
  • Gruber graduated from BU with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1999.

The players

Jenny Gruber

BU alumna and Future Systems Integration lead for NASA's Moon to Mars mission, who also serves as president of the BU Alumni Association.

Jasper Milstein

BU sophomore who double majors in physics and astronomy and in philosophy.

Eli Marlin

Cosmology research assistant at BU and College of Arts and Sciences class of 2025 graduate.

Andrés Rodríguez

BU freshman who is an astronomy and physics joint major.

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen

The four-person crew of the Artemis II mission, including three NASA astronauts and one Canadian Space Agency astronaut.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are doing something where the U.S. is leading nearly the entire world in exploration of another celestial body, and the kind of teamwork and cooperation that that takes is on a scale that we've not seen before.”

— Jenny Gruber, BU alumna and Future Systems Integration lead for NASA's Moon to Mars mission

“For the first time, especially in our lifetime as undergrads and our generation, [NASA is] focusing beyond Earth. Now what's really cool about this is the first time we're sort of going further again with manned missions.”

— Jasper Milstein, BU sophomore

“It represents, ultimately, a good thing, which is this reinvestment in space and human space flight. From a long term perspective, people are excited about the potential of what it could mean to have bases on the moon.”

— Eli Marlin, Cosmology research assistant at BU

“Seeing that what I study is very similar to the technology and engineering they needed to build that rocket and put it into space in the first place is very, very inspiring.”

— Andrés Rodríguez, BU freshman

What’s next

Gruber said she hopes the success of Artemis II paves the way for NASA to get a sustainable moon base up and running over the next decade, then to shift their gaze further in the solar system to Mars.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission has reignited excitement and inspiration for the next generation of astronomers and space enthusiasts at Boston University, reminding them of the potential of collaborative space exploration and the technological advancements that can be achieved through sustained investment in human spaceflight.