Igor's vibesite

It's great to be back

What stands out to me in Artemis 2 mission is the emotional tone.

Yes, the technical achievement is outstanding and it is great to be back after 50+ years of not being back.

But, the astronauts being so funny, emotionally available. vulnerable, regular (almost millenial?) is what touched me the most about this mission.

Their humorous, sincere, light-hearted exchanges with Mission Control felt so unlike those old, classic Apollo missions where fearless and distant heroes went on an unimaginably risky mission relying on computers less powerful than modern burner phone. Their communications were brief, precise and to the point. It was not the time for emotions, but it was an era of great courage, effort, and achievement.

Artemis 2 crew was able to experience the most profound loneliness the human beings ever did (just imagine being 400 thousand kilometers away from the closest living soul). Yet, the main message they brought back was not about how fascinating it was to see the dark side of the Moon - but that it is a blessing to be among people again, joy to be back on the Earth.

This, to me, is the signature of those 50 years. Space flight became more open, sincere and normal. And I salute it.