Cosmic Perspectives from Amid the Stars:
Astronomy Blog

The Space Race was the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve superior space travel technology, which eventually culminated in the first manned Moon landing and potentially contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Even today, our space programs are built upon the base established during the period. But why was the Space Race so important to both nations, and who ended up winning it?

Artemis II is set to bring humans back to the Moon no earlier than February 8. We might be days away from this milestone in space exploration and travel. But what’s the purpose of Artemis II and what’s its mission? Artemis II, the second mission of the Artemis Program, is the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. While Artemis II won’t be landing on the Moon, it is a pivotal step in our return to the Moon’s surface as well as our travels beyond.

The countdown has begun. Part of the groundbreaking Artemis Program, the Artemis II launch is nearly upon us. No later than April of 2026 will Artemis II launch with the first crewed trip to the Moon in over 50 years. Apollo 17 marked the end of an era in 1972 when it departed from the Moon with the final crew to ever make the voyage. Since then, humans have never strayed farther from Earth than low Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station.

It’s been over fifty years since the last human set foot on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission. On December 14, 1972, the last ship of the Apollo Program left the Moon, ending the historic three-and-a-half-year era of discovery and exploration. The Apollo Program was the only time in history where humans went beyond low-Earth orbit and set foot on another celestial body. That’s all about to change.