ARTEMIS II AS SEEN BY THE OFFICIAL NASA CESSNA
— Chris Combs (iterative design enjoyer) (@DrChrisCombs) April 3, 2026
THIS IS THE BEST LAUNCH VIDEO AND IT ISN'T CLOSE pic.twitter.com/ikLxSYbHKW
It's good to see America returning to the moon with the launch of Artemis II, after an absence of more than a half-century. Though this mission only entails a fly around, future missions will be landing.
Twenty four astronauts flew around or landed on the moon between December 1968 and December 1972. Of the twelve who remained in the command module, only one still survives; Fred Haise (92). Of the twelve who walked on the moon, four are living; Buzz Aldrin (96), David Scott (93), John Young (87) and Harrison Schmitt (90).
The astronauts were selected in part, because of their good health, and it is reflected in their longevity. All were born between 1923 and 1936 and were in their 30s and 40s at the time. Even in a worst case assumption that all of five living moon astronauts die this year, the average age for the moon walkers would be 82.7 years and for the circumnavigators 82.3. Under the same assumptions the median age for moon walkers is 86 and for orbiters 89.
Godspeed and may the mission be a success.
We'll close with The Byrds' tribute to Armstrong, Alden, and Collins; "The team below, that gave the go, they had God's helping hand"
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