Apollo Veterans Back Moon Return With Artemis II Launch
Veterans who worked on the original space program are expressing excitement about NASA's Artemis II mission as it prepares for its upcoming launch from Cape Canaveral. These individuals in their eighties and nineties feel a sense of fulfillment that they helped put astronauts back to orbit, though many lamented missing out because more Apollo-era workers were alive during this new era compared with the 1960s lunar missions ahead by China's planned landing for Artemis II launch
Key Points
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1Apollo-era veterans are enthusiastic about supporting NASA's return to the Moon with its Artemis II mission.
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2Many Apollo astronauts express regret that they could not witness these missions because their workforce is now aging and shrinking in numbers, as many survivors have reached 80s or even early 90s age groups.
Developments
Perspectives
Apollo-era veterans are thrilled that NASA is finally going back to the moon with Artemis II.
— [Mar 30, 16:32] Apollo-era veterans back NASA's moon return with Artemis II (Feed.koreatimes.co.kr)The overriding goal for these veteran supporters in the near term is that astronauts beat Chinese counterparts to land on the lunar surface.
— [Mar 30, 13:02] Apollo Veterans Eagerly Cheer NASA's Artemis II Moon Return (Deccanchronicle)Many of those who worked during the Apollo era are now in their late eighties and nineties with dwindling numbers remaining.
— [Mar 30, 16:32] Apollo-era veterans back NASA's moon return with Artemis II (Feed.koreatimes.co.kr)The veteran group wishes the Artemis missions had happened sooner while more of their workforce was still alive to witness them.
— [Mar 30, 16:32] Apollo-era veterans back NASA's moon return with Artemis II (Feed.koreatimes.co.kr)'Impatient old-timers' are rooting for the launch and express a desire that more of their peers were alive to see it.
— [Mar 30, 12:02] Apollo's impatient old-timers are rooting for NASA's return to the moon with Artemis II launch (Independent.co.uk, Mynorthwest)Survivors of NASA's Apollo program are excited about upcoming plans to return astronauts to the moon but express frustration that these missions have been delayed, noting they would like them sooner while more original workers were still alive. The dwindling group now in their 80s and 90s lacks a reunion for Artemis II due to having fewer than one percent of Apollo's workforce remaining today compared with its peak size during the moon landings era (15,762).
Apollo veterans who worked during the original moon missions express enthusiasm for a planned April 2031 lunar flyby but lament that many of them will not be alive to celebrate it due to age and dwindling numbers from an initial workforce. Despite their excitement, some survivors remain frustrated with delays in returning astronauts compared to China's timeline or past cancellations caused by budget cuts under President Nixon.
Apollo-era veterans who worked night-and-day for previous missions express excitement about a potential return but frustration that they were not alive during those earlier efforts and wish it had happened sooner while more of their generation was still around to witness the event, as few survivors remain from NASA's original workforce.