your choices for Space on this level is either US , China, Russia or India none of which are being very nice right now …

Oh or a Billionaire and we know how lovely they are

It feels the same way from here in the US.

But: It was really wonderful to see my kids excited to watch the launch, and to have something to be proud of in our country that is not attacks on other countries and raids on our neighbors.

surprised anybody cares about the pitiful distraction of taking a spin around the moon -- something we already did in 1968

we already know some pix of earth from the moon are not 'science" nor do they bring peace on earth

& now the space industry is mostly that, an industry to expand the pockets and egos of billionaires who traffic women & will stop at nothing to make sure the majority of people are never free

bah humbug i say!!!

yup, the #USA fucking sucks

that dampers enthusiasm for #Artemis #Artemis2 #ArtemisII

i say:

be happy for #JeremyHansen, first Canadian in deep #space

and his mission patch was designed by #Anishaabe artist #HenryGuimond, referencing the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers

"Hansen asked Guimond to design a personal patch for his flight suit after participating in a vision quest at Turtle Lodge Centre of Excellence"

cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ma…

#Canada #Indigenous

As an American I also feel the same.

For one of my posts I did draft and delete a comment saying something similar, but didn't want to feel like a downer. I respect the honesty.

The other side of it is that the current US budget means NASA is killing science missions to ensure putting humans back on the moon is it's #1 priority. In 2026 I don't believe the scientific value is there to choose the least economic way to study the moon.

It's not an honest U.S. American Moon mission, without a cruel war going on that was initiated by the USA.

Vietnam... Iran, what's a few geopolitical details among friends?

You might be surprised to learn how many parts of the Artemis missions are actually from Europe via ESA and other parts of the world. The US doesn't like to share that, but it's true 😀

Example: esa.int/Science_Exploration/Hu…

European Service Module

The European Service Module is ESA’s contribution to NASA’s Orion spacecraft that will send astronauts to the Moon and beyond.

^www.esa.int

I put it like this: "Every dollar spent for a space mission is a dollar not spent for war"

It helps me at least

for as long as our affairs down here on Earth are such a deteriorating mess it feels frivolous to pursue such vanity projects. There isn't much science or relevant technology to be had with insisting to roundtrip frail human bodies in deep space. If we have to, robotic missions much more to the point.

But such is the power of projecting hegemonic strength. The Chinese also keen to make headlines. Like peacocks wasting enormous energy to demonstrate fitness... 🦚

Most articles don't mention a very important detail:

"Artemis II: “Without the European Service Module, the mission is impossible”"
rfi.fr/fr/science/20260331-art…

Artemis II: «Sans le Module de service européen, la mission est impossible»

Au sein de l'Agence spatiale européenne (ESA), Philippe Berthe est responsable de la coordination sur l'ESM, le Module de service européen du vaisseau spatial Orion.

^{Igor Gauquelin (RFI)}

Europe will be providing the power that makes the journey possible thanks to ESA’s European Service Module, the propulsion heart of the Orion spacecraft. The module supplies air and water for the astronauts, provides electricity through its four solar arrays, controls the spacecraft’s temperature, and delivers propulsion for key manoeuvres in deep space

Built by European industry led by ESA, the European Service Module was assembled by Airbus in Bremen, Germany
esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Release…

exactly. Gill Scott Heron sang about it in the 60s.

music.apple.com/us/album/white…

Whitey on the Moon by Gil Scott-Heron on Apple Music

Song · 1974 · Duration 1:29

^{Apple Music - Web Player}