Former astronaut Charles Bolden on Artemis II: "I'm a nervous wreck"
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NASA
American space and aeronautics agency
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the United States' civil space program and for research in aeronautics and space exploration. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NASA operates ten field centers across th...
Artemis II
Artemis program's second lunar flight
Artemis II is a planned lunar spaceflight mission under the Artemis program, led by NASA. It is intended to be the second flight of the Space Launch System (SLS), and the first crewed mission of the Orion spacecraft. It is the first crewed mission around the Moon, and beyond low Earth orbit, since A...
Charles Bolden
American astronaut and 12th NASA Administrator (born 1946)
Charles Frank Bolden Jr. (born August 19, 1946) is a former administrator of NASA, a retired United States Marine Corps Major General, and a former astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1968.
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Why It Matters
This statement matters because it highlights the human element and risks involved in NASA's Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. It affects NASA's public relations, the families of astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, and public perception of space exploration safety. Bolden's nervousness reflects legitimate concerns about returning humans to deep space after decades, potentially influencing funding debates and safety protocols. As a former NASA administrator and astronaut, his emotional reaction carries significant weight in the aerospace community.
Context & Background
- Artemis II is scheduled to launch in September 2025 as NASA's first crewed mission of the Artemis program
- The mission will send four astronauts on a lunar flyby without landing, testing Orion spacecraft systems in deep space
- Charles Bolden served as NASA Administrator from 2009-2017 under President Obama and flew on four Space Shuttle missions
- Artemis I completed an uncrewed test flight around the Moon in 2022
- The last human lunar mission was Apollo 17 in December 1972, over 50 years ago
- NASA's human spaceflight program has experienced two fatal shuttle disasters (Challenger 1986, Columbia 2003)
What Happens Next
NASA will continue final preparations for Artemis II leading to the scheduled September 2025 launch, including crew training and spacecraft testing. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule will undergo final integration and testing at Kennedy Space Center. If successful, Artemis II will pave the way for Artemis III, planned for 2026, which aims to land astronauts near the lunar south pole.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a former NASA administrator and astronaut, Bolden understands the immense technical challenges and risks of human spaceflight, especially for a lunar mission after a 50-year gap. His experience with the Space Shuttle program, including the Columbia disaster, makes him acutely aware of potential dangers in complex space missions.
Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since 1972, using new technology like the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket. Unlike Apollo missions that landed on the Moon, Artemis II will perform a lunar flyby without landing, testing systems for future surface missions.
Bolden's candid admission humanizes space exploration by acknowledging legitimate risks, which could increase public engagement through honest dialogue about challenges. However, it might also raise concerns about mission safety among those unfamiliar with NASA's rigorous testing protocols.
Primary risks include launch and re-entry failures, radiation exposure in deep space, life support system malfunctions, and the distance from Earth requiring autonomous problem-solving. The mission will test new systems that haven't been used with crews in lunar orbit before.
NASA implements multiple safety layers including redundant systems, extensive testing (like the uncrewed Artemis I mission), emergency protocols, and years of astronaut training. The agency conducts rigorous reviews and incorporates lessons from past spaceflight incidents.