Apollo veteran Charlie Duke sends message of support to Artemis II crew on historic moon mission
TOI GLOBAL | Apr 06, 2026, 19:47 IST
Artemis II astronauts embark on historic Nasa mission as the full moon glows
Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke sent a message of encouragement to the crew of Artemis II as they journey around the Moon, linking the legacy of past lunar missions with the future of space exploration.
The crew Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — is set to complete a historic lunar flyby before returning to Earth. The mission also marked a milestone for Hansen, who received his astronaut wings during the flight, while the team shared a unifying Easter message reflecting on humanity from space.
The crew Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — is set to complete a historic lunar flyby before returning to Earth. The mission also marked a milestone for Hansen, who received his astronaut wings during the flight, while the team shared a unifying Easter message reflecting on humanity from space.
As NASAs Artemis II mission keeps going around the Moon astronaut Charlie Duke from the Apollo era sent a message to the crew. This connected the past. Present in a powerful moment of space exploration history.
The message was for the four astronauts on Artemis II. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. They were on their way to fly by the Moon, which's the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon in over 50 years.
The Artemis II crew heard from Duke on Easter Sunday. He flew on Apollo 16 in 1972. Duke talked about the module Orion that he used during his mission. Now the modern Orion spacecraft is carrying the Artemis II crew.
Duke also reminded the astronauts about an item he left on the Moon a long time ago. It was a picture of his family. He hoped it would encourage them from Earth. He praised the crew for keeping the Apollo legacy going. Wished them a safe journey.
The Artemis II crew will get closest to the Moon on April 6. They will pass around the side and take pictures that were not seen during earlier Apollo missions. NASA will release these images after the mission.
The astronauts will return to Earth on April 10. They will splash down in the Pacific Ocean. This mission is to help lunar landings under NASAs Artemis program.
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen had a big moment. He got his astronaut wings while in flight, which's rare. The honor is usually given after an astronauts space mission. Mission commander Reid Wiseman gave it to him during a broadcast.
The crew also shared an Easter message with people on Earth. Hansen talked about love and unity. He said seeing Earth from space makes us feel connected.
The talk between Duke and the Artemis II crew shows how human space exploration keeps going. It's from the Apollo missions of the century to todays push toward the Moon.
As Artemis II keeps going it's a bridge between generations. It keeps a legacy that started over 50 years ago. It sets the stage for humanitys chapter, beyond Earth.
The message was for the four astronauts on Artemis II. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. They were on their way to fly by the Moon, which's the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon in over 50 years.
The Artemis II crew heard from Duke on Easter Sunday. He flew on Apollo 16 in 1972. Duke talked about the module Orion that he used during his mission. Now the modern Orion spacecraft is carrying the Artemis II crew.
Duke also reminded the astronauts about an item he left on the Moon a long time ago. It was a picture of his family. He hoped it would encourage them from Earth. He praised the crew for keeping the Apollo legacy going. Wished them a safe journey.
The Artemis II crew will get closest to the Moon on April 6. They will pass around the side and take pictures that were not seen during earlier Apollo missions. NASA will release these images after the mission.
The astronauts will return to Earth on April 10. They will splash down in the Pacific Ocean. This mission is to help lunar landings under NASAs Artemis program.
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen had a big moment. He got his astronaut wings while in flight, which's rare. The honor is usually given after an astronauts space mission. Mission commander Reid Wiseman gave it to him during a broadcast.
The crew also shared an Easter message with people on Earth. Hansen talked about love and unity. He said seeing Earth from space makes us feel connected.
The talk between Duke and the Artemis II crew shows how human space exploration keeps going. It's from the Apollo missions of the century to todays push toward the Moon.
As Artemis II keeps going it's a bridge between generations. It keeps a legacy that started over 50 years ago. It sets the stage for humanitys chapter, beyond Earth.