Artemis II Mission Launches Renewed Interest in Space Exploration

Veteran journalist Karl Terry reflects on the historic Apollo missions and how the latest Artemis II flight could reignite public fascination.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:00am

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, conceptually representing the complex systems and forces involved in the Artemis II mission to the moon.The Artemis II mission builds upon the legacy of the Apollo program with advanced technology and global viewership, paving the way for future deep space exploration.Portales Today

In this opinion piece, retired journalist Karl Terry reminisces about the excitement and wonder he experienced as a child watching the Apollo moon landings in the 1960s, with Walter Cronkite guiding viewers through the historic events. Terry expresses nostalgia for the sense of adventure and exploration that captivated the nation during that era, and laments that the upcoming Artemis II mission to the moon is not garnering the same level of public attention despite the tremendous technological advancements since the Apollo program.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in the renewed push for human space exploration, paving the way for future missions to the moon and potentially Mars. However, Terry's perspective suggests that the public may not be as engaged with these modern space endeavors compared to the Apollo era, raising questions about how to reignite that sense of wonder and excitement around space travel.

The details

The Artemis II mission will send astronauts on a journey around the moon, testing the new Orion spacecraft and paving the way for future Artemis missions that could eventually lead to a crewed mission to Mars. Unlike the Apollo missions, which captivated the nation and the world, Terry notes that the Artemis II flight is not drawing the same level of public attention, despite the advancements in technology since the 1960s. He reflects on the iconic role of Walter Cronkite in bringing the Apollo missions into living rooms across America, and laments that the Artemis II coverage may not have the same personal touch.

  • On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission launched, leading to the first human landing on the moon.
  • Artemis II is scheduled to launch in the coming days, marking the first crewed mission of the new Artemis program.

The players

Walter Cronkite

A legendary American broadcast journalist who provided iconic coverage of the Apollo moon landings, guiding viewers through the historic events with his trademark style and expertise.

Neil Armstrong

The first person to walk on the moon, delivering the famous quote "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" during the Apollo 11 mission.

Karl Terry

A retired managing editor of the Portales News-Tribune and former director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, who reflects on his childhood experiences watching the Apollo missions and the upcoming Artemis II flight.

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What they’re saying

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

— Neil Armstrong

“I guess one of the things this mission will do other than testing out the spacecraft and the theories in place, is that we finally get pictures of the dark side of the moon.”

— Karl Terry, Retired Journalist

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to return to Earth in the coming days, allowing the public to watch the spacecraft's re-entry and landing live.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents an important step forward in the renewed push for human space exploration, but Terry's perspective suggests that capturing the public's imagination and excitement around these modern space endeavors may require a similar level of personal, relatable coverage as was provided by iconic figures like Walter Cronkite during the Apollo era.