Sammi13h ago

I feel I need to say something about Artemis as a former NASA employee, Space scientist and engineer.

I hope more than anything that the astronauts get back safely. But let us not be fooled by what this is.

Is it spectacular, yes. Is it a feat of engineering, yes. Does it make any advance in science, no. Does it help mankind explore the universe, dubious at best.

Why exactly are we sending humans to the moon? With our technology we will never send humans much further than Mars. The only way humans can possibly go further is through a scientific breakthrough. Good luck with that when Trump is gutting science.

Human exploration needs money spent on long-term advances - not using the same technology to do what we did before, however, glamorous it is.

So why do this and why do it now? Political theatre, a win for a Trump led NASA if it succeeds.

So I hope all works well and all return safely. But let us be clear what this is and why it is being done.

This is my opinion, I do not represent anyone.

Show threadDana

@SamanthaJaneSmith I'm usually more cynical, but I was getting the sense this was to rekindle a love of space, esp. in young people (hence all the historic firsts, the excitement of setting up trans lunar infrastructure for future lunar presence, and the tech being used to give a sense of humanity and realness to the vehicle and it's occupants throughout the mission).

I also got the sense this was more positioned in *spite* of the current administration in the US that's been gutting NASA. Not a single mention of the Trump administration, or even the federal government.

I read it more as NASA trying to rise above the current moment, to show that the US isn't it's government. Its people can still be international partners to the world, and still do good and inspiring things together with them.

I'm happy it's happening, and suppose that even my usually cynical heart sees this all pretty differently.

1:09pmWeb