NASA Spaceflight Contributor Covers Historic Artemis 2 Moon Launch

Sawyer Rosenstein, a kindness advocate from McGregor, Texas, reports on the first human lunar mission in over 50 years.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:40pm

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts of space exploration.A space journalist's front-row seat to the historic return of human spaceflight to the Moon.Waco Today

Sawyer Rosenstein, a photo-journalist and contributor for NASA Spaceflight, is covering the Artemis 2 mission - the first human lunar launch since 1972. Rosenstein was previously involved in an anti-bullying campaign in Central Texas and has been a member of the press covering NASA launches since 2011, including the final space shuttle mission. He says this Artemis 2 launch is a historic moment that can inspire the next generation of astronauts and engineers.

Why it matters

The Artemis 2 mission marks the first time humans have traveled to the moon since the Apollo program ended in 1972. This launch is a significant milestone for the revived NASA space program and could reignite public interest and excitement around space exploration, especially among young people.

The details

Rosenstein has been covering the Artemis 2 launch, course, and return for NASA Spaceflight. He says the 10-day mission will be one of the busiest periods of his career, but he wouldn't trade the experience. Rosenstein was present at the final space shuttle launch in 2011 and is now witnessing the first human lunar mission in over 50 years, which he describes as an 'all sensory experience' that envelops you in the 'sound, sights and history' of the moment.

  • Artemis 2 launched on Wednesday, April 3, 2026.
  • Rosenstein was present at the final space shuttle launch in 2011.

The players

Sawyer Rosenstein

A photo-journalist and contributor for NASA Spaceflight who was previously involved in an anti-bullying campaign in Central Texas.

Rhett Hering

A 15-year-old from McGregor, Texas who was killed in a four-wheeler accident in 2015, inspiring the 'Rhett Revolution' anti-bullying kindness campaign that Rosenstein participated in.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to be ten of the busiest days of my life, it already has been two of them, getting everything ready but I wouldn't trade it for anything.”

— Sawyer Rosenstein, NASA Spaceflight Contributor

“The thing about launches is you see them then you hear them then you feel them, and when you have something that powerful and you feel it and then you have the sound bouncing off the buildings behind you and hitting you in the front and the back, it is a total all sensory experience at that point and you are enveloped in the moment, in the sound, in the sights and in the history.”

— Sawyer Rosenstein, NASA Spaceflight Contributor

“All the things happening in the world we should really be focusing on earth, but we haven't had that inspirational something to spark the interest again, to remind people especially young people who really haven't had a space program to grow up with except for private companies like Space X to say hey we are sending people to the moon and you could be next.”

— Sawyer Rosenstein, NASA Spaceflight Contributor

What’s next

Rosenstein will continue to provide live coverage and updates on the Artemis 2 mission throughout its 10-day duration, culminating in the spacecraft's return to Earth.

The takeaway

Sawyer Rosenstein's involvement in the Artemis 2 launch coverage represents the convergence of his passions for space exploration, journalism, and community advocacy. This historic moon mission has the potential to reignite public interest in the space program and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.