# 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:** 39
**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 6, 2026, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/762 "2026-04-06T18:05:47Z")
The crew has recently broken the distance record set by Apollo 13. They challenged “this generation and the next” to make sure the record be not long standing. Brian ---
**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 6, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/763 "2026-04-06T18:12:44Z")
I’m not crying you’re crying. Commander Reid Wiseman submitted names for two unamed lunar craters. One of which he requested be named Carroll after his wife who died unexpectedly recently, while his young children listened in the viewing gallery above mission control. All the astronauts crying. Such a human moment. 😭 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/764 "2026-04-06T18:45:27Z")
> [@solost](#): > > “we landed on the Moon over 50 years ago, back when our technology was much more primitive. Now we have cellphones with more power than computers that used to take up whole rooms. Why are we just doing a fly-by this time? Why can’t we just go ahead and easily land on the Moon again?” Because electronics don’t create the sheer physical muscle needed to actually get tonnage to the Moon. In that sense, the biggest improvement better electronics has to offer is faster and better CAD/CAM, including 3-D printing fabrication of components like rocket engines. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/765 "2026-04-06T19:02:21Z")
Lots of chatter about getting the camera against the windows. Did they not know about window hoods? ---
**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 6, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/766 "2026-04-06T19:07:13Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Commander Reid Wiseman Correction: Jeremy Hansen ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/767 "2026-04-06T19:34:24Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Lots of chatter about getting the camera against the windows. Did they not know about window hoods? From what I understood from some of the chatter, they’re using them – at least on some windows. I went downstairs for a few minutes a little while ago, and when I came back, the size of the moon relative to the bit of spacecraft visible in the left of the image from the camera on the solar wing was noticeably bigger in just that short time. Very cool! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/768 "2026-04-06T19:55:10Z")
Everything is going great, except the freaking toilet is bust again! 😁 Very appropriately described as “toilet is a no go”. The crew is relegated to portable containment devices. Meanwhile the NASA commentator is desperately working to justify the manned mission, saying the observations being provided by the astronauts cannot be matched by any camera images from robotic missions. This is a little like coverage of a space mission being interleaved with an infomercial. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/769 "2026-04-06T20:01:34Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Meanwhile the NASA commentator is desperately working to justify the manned mission, saying the observations being provided by the astronauts cannot be matched by any camera images from robotic missions. Ah, that is the reason they are taking selfies all the time? That, and that they have nothing better to do all day. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/770 "2026-04-06T20:03:14Z")
The value of a test flight of course simply demonstrating the functionality of a crewed vehicle. It isn’t like the photos are the purpose of Artemis. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/771 "2026-04-06T20:15:23Z")
I should have taken some screenshots of the earlier images from the solar wing camera for comparison as the way the size of the moon is rapidly growing is pretty remarkable. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/772 "2026-04-06T20:17:08Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > > [@solost](#): > > > > “we landed on the Moon over 50 years ago, back when our technology was much more primitive. Now we have cellphones with more power than computers that used to take up whole rooms. Why are we just doing a fly-by this time? Why can’t we just go ahead and easily land on the Moon again?” > > Because electronics don’t create the sheer physical muscle needed to actually get tonnage to the Moon. In that sense, the biggest improvement better electronics has to offer is faster and better CAD/CAM, including 3-D printing fabrication of components like rocket engines. Also “stochastics” … FWIW, the 1969 flight might have had a 50% chance of fulfilling its objective (and come home healthy), the 2026/27 flight might have a 95+% chance of doing so - so it is a much more mature endeavor \*) … \*) both numbers pulled out of the last few inches of my GI-tract. IOW: while the outcome might be the same, the chances to do so might be vastly different - which is a very relevant aspecto of any complex end to end process. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/773 "2026-04-06T20:20:23Z")
As I understand it, the only thing they have to do is survive. Good luck! The pictures are a private hobby, there are no observations they can make, no instruments to use. This is not a scientific mission. And the toilet problems should have been solved long ago (see **[post #713](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/714)**). ---
**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 6, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/774 "2026-04-06T20:24:22Z")
They are doing science via observation for many hours! Meanwhile, NASA has just released some images, downloaded from earlier today. [![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/art002e009212/art002e009212~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) ](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/art002e009212/art002e009212~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/775 "2026-04-06T20:26:08Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > As I understand it, the only thing they have to do is survive. Good luck! > The pictures are a private hobby, there are no observations they can make, no instruments to use. This is not a scientific mission. I have a certain amount of skepticism, too, but this is so far off on the extreme of hyperbole that it’s probably fair to describe it as “bullshit”. There is an entire science team that is actively recording their observations, asking questions, and guiding the photography. Just now, for instance, I heard a request for them to carefully photograph a particular area of the moon in such a way that all the photos could be combined into a continuous mosaic, which would represent the highest quality imaging of that area ever obtained. Whether the scientific knowledge gleaned from this particular mission is worth the cost is a different question, and the answer is clearly “no”. But it’s also laying the groundwork for a great many future missions, and where that will lead and what discoveries and benefits it may bring is not something anyone can reliably predict. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/776 "2026-04-06T20:35:39Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I have a certain amount of skepticism, too, but this is so far off on the extreme of hyperbole that it’s probably fair to describe it as “bullshit”. That may well be the case, but you’re all so enthusiastic that a bit of pushback can’t do any harm. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/777 "2026-04-06T21:58:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Just now, for instance, I heard a request for them to carefully photograph a particular area of the moon in such a way that all the photos could be combined into a continuous mosaic, which would represent the highest quality imaging of that area ever obtained. Considering the difference in distance from the Moon, I’d be surprised if the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has not taken pictures of the entire Moon in higher quality than Artemis II could ever take. The LRO orbits between 20 and 165 km above the surface of the Moon; much much closer than the Orion capsule will get. At best, the astronauts may get pictures at a different sun angle than LRO. That could be useful. ---
**Author:** ![stopnonstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@stopnonstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stopnonstop)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/778 "2026-04-06T22:12:46Z")
Why are mission control and the astronauts using miles in their communication? I thought NASA used the metric system? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/779 "2026-04-06T22:21:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Just now, for instance, I heard a request for them to carefully photograph a particular area of the moon in such a way that all the photos could be combined into a continuous mosaic, which would represent the highest quality imaging of that area ever obtained. Something that is seen for the first time complete by the naked human eye, probably. The whole moon has had the heck mapped out of it by orbiters for decades. I suspect that you mean this. > **[Space & Astronomy USA | Artemis II Reveals a Moon View No Human Has Ever Seen...](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1811066936318337/permalink/2156186535139707/?mibextid=A7sQZp&rdid=YjXg0SELnijsZfDM&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fp%2F18Xqwxpmaz%2F%3Fmibextid%3DA7sQZp)** > > Artemis II Reveals a Moon View No Human Has Ever Seen Before 🌕🌓 > **[Space & Astronomy USA | BREAKING : Never-before-seen view of the Moon’s...](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1811066936318337/permalink/2156149228476771/?mibextid=A7sQZp&rdid=Y5yrnUSocJqn7e70&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fp%2F1JNzhy8DHB%2F%3Fmibextid%3DA7sQZp)** > > BREAKING : Never-before-seen view of the Moon’s Orientale Basin just released by the astronauts aboard Artemis II. This mission marks the first time in human history the entire basin has been seen... ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/780 "2026-04-06T22:38:43Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > I have a certain amount of skepticism, too, but this is so far off on the extreme of hyperbole that it’s probably fair to describe it as “bullshit”. > > That may well be the case, but you’re all so enthusiastic that a bit of pushback can’t do any harm. **NINJA’d** maybe the BS is not too far off: > **[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter - NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lro/)** > > NASA's LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) is paving the way for human and robotic exploration of the Moon.   there is NASAs Luna Reconnaissance Orbiter - well - orbiting the moon for 17 years … day-after-day and night-after-night. here a snippet: _LRO has been studying the Moon from up close since 2009, making it the longest-lived lunar orbiting mission ever. The orbiter has mapped the Moon’s surface and measured its temperature, composition, and radiation environment in unprecedented detail. Data from LRO enables NASA, and our international and commercial partners, to select locations on the lunar surface where spacecraft and astronauts can safely land. The orbiter is also helping NASA identify areas near the Moon’s South Pole with crucial resources like water and extended sunlight, which provides power for equipment and supports exploration activities._ . Will random photos taken out of windows at 4-5.000miles distance really reveal something new? I am inclined to call BS or at least there is a lot of stuff being “hyped up” out of proportion… (just heard “ **humanity, mysteries, teachings of Jesus** ” in the stream w/ 6 min before blackout ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432/781 "2026-04-06T23:25:44Z")
just picked up this tidbit from the live-stream: **Astronauts use 400mm zoom lenses …** … from 5,000miles (8,000km) away … so yeah … thats basically as “scientific” as a big-game safari in Kalahari Natl Park. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432.md?page=38) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-moon-artemis-program-follow-along-its-finally-happening/970432.md?page=40)