Daniel Mercer
The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission has successfully returned to Earth, but if your Moon fever persists or if you are eager to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the second mission in a series of five lunar expeditions was executed, then you should definitely check out the new documentary from PBS. The hour-long documentary titled Return to the Moon was produced for PBS’ NOVA and aired on television on April 15. Fortunately, you can now watch the entire episode on YouTube at your convenience.
Return to the Moon chronicles the extensive history of NASA’s Artemis program, with a particular focus on the meticulous planning and preparation that led up to Artemis II. According to the official description provided by the documentary:
Join the four astronauts of the Artemis II crew as they embark on an exhilarating and dangerous 10-day journey to orbit the Moon. This mission marks the first time humans have ventured beyond Earth orbit since the Apollo missions and takes them deeper into the Solar System than any human has previously traveled. The documentary provides an exclusive look at the extensive preparations required to tackle the incredible engineering obstacles associated with human-crewed spaceflight, covering every aspect from launch to splashdown.
The last mission of the Apollo program occurred in 1972, so the fact that Artemis II is sending a group of four astronauts toward the Moon has understandably stirred a significant amount of enthusiasm. The crew has traveled farther from Earth than any previous astronauts, capturing breathtaking images of both the Moon and our home planet. Additionally, their mission has brought a sense of camaraderie, even easing the frustrations of those who typically struggle with using Microsoft Outlook. Few lunar missions have been as well-documented or as relatable as this one.
