The Artemis II crew sent heartwarming messages to their families on their final day of their historic 10-day moon mission ahead of Friday’s splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
The four astronauts, who launched from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, expressed how much they loved their children, nieces and nephews, and addressed the next generation of space explorers during Thursday’s call with Katie Britt (R-Alabama), NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, and other lawmakers.
Canadian Jeremy Hansen spoke about how he learns more from his kids, Devon, Ashley, and Kaitlin, than they learn from him – before offering them a piece of advice.
“But the one thing I would remind you, and I think is worth reminding ourselves and other youth is that all you have to do on any given day is just get up and do your best and try to find joy in your day and try to contribute in a meaningful and positive way,” he said.
“I think we as humans, we put too much pressure on ourselves, looking for perfection.”
Christina Koch, the only woman on the 10-day lunar flyby, thanked her nine nieces and nephews for the letters they wrote and pictures they drew.
“You had beautiful earths and rockets, and they truly touched my mission, and I feel like you’re here with me,” she said.
Pilot Victor Glover spoke about how he and his wife are looking forward to supporting their four children, Genesis, Maya, Joia, and Corrine.
“We spent years coaching you, but we are very much in that transition to being cheerleaders and just rooting for you in life,” he said.
He also reached out to budding astronauts, saying: “And to the future citizens out there, the same sentiment applies.
