[The first formal public appearance of the four Artemis II astronauts was held at Johnson Space Center on the evening of April 11,]( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fupCTMr36VY) and the enthusiasm throughout the crowd was palpable. Accompanying a large “NASA” sign on the stage was another one saying “Freedom 250,” signifying the anniversary year of the founding of the republic.
The four were, of course, very moved emotionally, with pilot Victor Glover, thanking God for the opportunity to fly this mission. The closeness of the crew in this unique experience was, as they indicated, a bond that would last forever. They were also keenly aware of how this mission and their enthusiasm for the mission and its success was also reflected in the people in the audience and those who had watched the mission.
Christina Koch tried to give an indication of the real nature of a “crew” as opposed to a “team.” “A ‘crew’ is inescapably, beautifully, linked,” she said. Speaking of the overwhelming experience of looking at the Earth from that distance in the vast darkness of space, she commented: “The Earth was just this lifeboat, hanging undisturbedly in the universe.” Then, caught up in a strong emotion, she paused for a minute, reflecting. Collecting her thoughts, she said: “I may not have learned, I know I have not learned, everything that this journey has yet to teach me. But there’s one new thing I know, and that is, Planet Earth, YOU ARE A CREW!”
