May 5, 2026
By Kapri Del Regno
Staff Writer
Surpassing the record previously set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, four astronauts traveled 252,756 miles from Earth in the Artemis II mission, which took place between April 1-10.
The mission around the Moon not only tested new technology and physical limits but also captured the public’s attention as a major step in space exploration.
Freshman Addison Mysel said the scale of the mission made it especially meaningful.
¨It’s not like NASA travels to the Moon every day,” Mysel said. “To be able to be alive to see something so extraordinary is something incredible.”
Mysel said one of the most interesting aspects of the mission was how the Orion spacecraft was tested both during its time in Earth’s orbit and before traveling farther into space.
“It’s very important to make sure Orion is able to support the astronauts,” Mysel said. “They need to really test the Orion in action, even after all the tests they have already done.”
Mysel said the mission showcased discovery and risk, as the astronauts flew behind and captured images of the far side of the Moon.
“You would think we see all of the Moon [because] it rotates, but we only see a part of it,” Mysel said. “Learning more about the Moon is an achievement, and seeing a side not visible from Earth is truly remarkable.”
Mysel said she especially enjoyed watching the astronauts safely reenter the atmosphere at very high speeds and high heat before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
“[What] we should remember most is the joy we felt when the astronauts landed safely in the Pacific,” Mysel said. “We made history, and we should always remember that.”
Sophomore Sebastian Lupinski said the mission stood out for what it represents about the future of space travel and the progress being made beyond Earth.
“The main goal is for us, for humanity in general, to land back on the Moon,” Lupinski said. “If we’re able to go back to the Moon, then we can advance our capabilities and go further in our solar system, perhaps [to] Mars.”
Lupinski said the mission’s record-breaking distance and overall journey highlight technological advancements.
“This is the first manned space mission in over 50 years to the Moon,” Lupinski said. “It shows how far we’ve come along as humans… and it makes you wonder what our technology will look like in the next 50 years.”
Lupinski said collaboration on a global scale is one of the most critical aspects of modern space exploration.
“NASA, SpaceX [and] the European Space Agency [were] all working together. It shows the interconnectedness of the world,” Lupinski said. “We can come together to advance humankind and explore space.”
Lupinski said a big takeaway for students is the importance of teamwork.
“Things can’t be done on your own,” Lupinski said. “If you want to achieve something great, you most likely have to work together.”
Physics teacher and Astronomy Club advisor Mr. Collins said the mission’s engineering challenges, especially during reentry, demonstrated the level of innovation required in space travel.
“We made history, and we should always remember that.”
“When you see [what appears to be] a shooting star, that’s a meteor burning up in the friction of our atmosphere,” Collins said. “Science and engineering at NASA combine to provide protection for the shuttle and crew during this reentry period.”
Collins said the mission’s success should build confidence in future space exploration efforts.
“It’s often human nature to remember the unfortunate failures and tragedies of past missions,” Collins said, “but without celebrating and focusing on the successes, we will not progress.”
NASA did not disclose the price of the mission, but a Bloomberg report based on government audits estimates the launch cost to be over $4 billion.
Despite the expense, Collins said continued investment in missions like Artemis II is necessary.
“Funding all kinds of scientific research is essential to human progress,” Collins said. “Expanding our understanding of the universe helps to improve life on Earth and extends our potential.”
