# Back to the Moon! Artemis program follow along (it's finally happening!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432 "2022-08-27T12:25:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/541 "2026-04-01T19:18:41Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > That would be like Apollo 8 being an unmanned flight. Heck, Apollo 8 did not even have an unmanned dry run of the complete system beyond Earth orbit (mission profiles were switched to stay on the larger timetable). But yeah, we’ve had too many chances of seeing them mess up in the intervening decades. Confidence has not been fully earned back, in NASA nor in the legacy contractors. … That’s too bad because somewhere in this room I feel manifesting out of a fog of memory a 7 year old in whose mind sounds the call-and-response litany of “go” and a voice over a distorted 1MC reciting “ignition sequence start…” ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/542 "2026-04-01T20:10:59Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > That’s too bad because somewhere in this room I feel manifesting out of a fog of memory a 7 year old in whose mind sounds the call-and-response litany of “go” and a voice over a distorted 1MC reciting “ignition sequence start…” It does seem that there is roughly a 20-year cycle at NASA, related to making what turn out to be tragic choices related to engineering and safety: - Apollo 1 (1967) - Challenger (1986) - Columbia (2003) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/543 "2026-04-01T20:14:01Z")
I notice that the commentators are all extremely careful to say “far side” of the moon, so careful that it sounds like they always want to say “dark side”. I would defend the usage of that, because a) it once was accurate, since “dark” in that case meant “hidden” rather than “unlit”, and b) it’s a geographic label, and geographical names can persist even if they are no longer accurate. But I guess all things considered one should say “far side” since it wouldn’t provoke the people who deliberately misunderstand the phrase. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/544 "2026-04-01T21:09:17Z")
Everyday Astronaut stream [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QOsSRRBMNoc/maxresdefault.jpg "[4K] Watch NASA Send Humans To The Moon LIVE!!! #Artemis2") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsSRRBMNoc) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/545 "2026-04-01T21:43:38Z")
I’m watching a stream with no commentary at all and quite enjoying it. Just a soothing background hum. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/546 "2026-04-01T22:04:25Z")
There’s something special about a manned mission (is there more gender neutral term?) and I do believe these high profile missions are great for inspiring the next generation to get into science and engineering, which has to be one of the key benefits of a space program. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/547 "2026-04-01T22:11:04Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > I’m watching a stream with no commentary at all and quite enjoying it. The stream I was watching wasn’t _that_ bad until just a minute ago when it referred unironically to “American exceptionalism”. I thought that this was going to be a fairly neutral broadcast and it seemed like it was - it _did_ mention the first female moon astronaut in a positive manner, unlike the fears that any mention of diversity was verboten. And I _almost_ ironically liked the clip in which American Exceptionalism was dropped, since it nostalgically reminded me of the unswervingly optimistic narrations at theme parks and the like, until it went full jingo. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/548 "2026-04-01T22:19:31Z")
Back side of the moon works. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/549 "2026-04-01T22:21:56Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > There’s something special about a manned mission (is there more gender neutral term?) “Crewed” was used by NASA for a long while. But would you want to ride in what sounds like a “crude spacecraft” ? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/550 "2026-04-01T22:22:15Z")
I’m about 90 miles from the launch site, but the skies here are a bit cloudy. I’ve never been in Florida during a rocket launch before. It should be interesting. I’ll tell you, though, everyone here is a bit on edge. We just don’t trust this administration not to Eff things up. Our only hope is that the President did not have his fingers in this pie. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/551 "2026-04-01T22:22:36Z")
That was the most uninspiring ‘go, no go’ poll I’ve ever heard. But it was all go! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/552 "2026-04-01T22:23:18Z")
Following along with CNN. They’ve had some interesting guests for interviews—past astronauts, Neil De Grasse Tyson, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and others. Looks like final checks are being made. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/553 "2026-04-01T22:27:14Z")
Everyday Astronaut: “Pointy End Up, Flamey End Down” - check. 😄 Brian ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/554 "2026-04-01T22:27:54Z")
Canadian on that rocket too. Which makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/555 "2026-04-01T22:27:58Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > That was the most uninspiring ‘go, no go’ poll I’ve ever heard. But it was all go! I think the final announcement of “go” was fairly emotional but I haven’t heard the launch director speak before so it could just be that she always talks with a little quaver in her voice. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/556 "2026-04-01T22:31:19Z")
Quaver? Interesting word for her halting speech. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/557 "2026-04-01T22:32:29Z")
I haven’t been following this closely but for those who are trepidatious, isn’t the launch most likely to be uneventful? And we’ll find out if there’s any issues in 10 days? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/558 "2026-04-01T22:33:02Z")
One hopes. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/559 "2026-04-01T22:33:12Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > The stream I was watching wasn’t _that_ bad until just a minute ago when it referred unironically to “American exceptionalism”. I thought that this was going to be a fairly neutral broadcast and it seemed like it was - it _did_ mention the first female moon astronaut in a positive manner, unlike the fears that any mention of diversity was verboten. And I _almost_ ironically liked the clip in which American Exceptionalism was dropped, since it nostalgically reminded me of the unswervingly optimistic narrations at theme parks and the like, until it went full jingo. My feed suddenly erupted, after at least half an hour, with a lady talking as loudly as she could. So I changed streams and came across this…promo? I muted that after a moment or two. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/560 "2026-04-01T22:33:39Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Canadian on that rocket too. Which makes me happy. Makes me happy too! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432.md?page=29)