The crew of the groundbreaking Artemis II lunar mission took a moment on Monday to embody two of Christ’s key teachings just before their spacecraft ventured behind the moon, resulting in a communication blackout—an expected hurdle in deep space exploration.
As pilot Victor Glover addressed the world, the Orion capsule was nearing its closest passage to the moon, moments after setting a new record for how far humans have traveled from Earth.
Like its predecessors, Artemis II encountered standard challenges. Communication with mission control halted when the spacecraft moved behind the moon, out of Earth’s view, which affected the crew’s ability to receive instructions.
This communication gap lasted around 40 minutes and coincided with a pivotal moment, as millions observed this historic return to lunar exploration, the first of its kind since 1972.
“As we get closer to the Moon and farther from Earth, while we delve into the enigmas of the universe, remember that one of the most crucial mysteries we face on Earth is love,” Glover stated during a broadcast to viewers worldwide.
He referenced Christ’s greatest commandment to love God fully, and then the equally important instruction to love one’s neighbor. Moments later, as they prepared to lose contact, Glover expressed feeling “love from Earth,” emphasizing, “To everyone on and around Earth, we love you from the moon.”
His words resonated with the sentiment shared during the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968 when astronauts read from Genesis while orbiting the moon—marking humanity’s initial journey to this celestial body.
Much like Apollo 8 laid the groundwork for Apollo 11’s moon landing, Artemis II is setting the stage for humanity’s renewed exploration of the lunar surface.
On this Easter Eve, Glover, who follows a Christian faith, contemplated the significance of the holiday. He noted that, while looking at the wonders of creation, it’s vital to recognize our shared existence aboard our respective spaceships—ours is the Earth, and we all share a home in the universe.
He highlighted the uniqueness of our planet and stressed the importance of collective coexistence. “Perhaps the distance makes our mission feel special, but keep in mind we’re only as far from you as you are from us. Trust me, you’re special,” he remarked. In the vastness of the universe—filled with nothingness—there exists a beautiful oasis where we can thrive together. As Easter Sunday approaches, regardless of belief or celebration, he suggested reflecting on our shared humanity and the importance of navigating these challenges together.
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Artemis II’s Victor Glover points out the ‘beauty of creation’ with Easter message from space
