An announcement was released by NASA on Monday that, for the first time since 1972, four people will going to revisit the moon. The 2024 Artemis II mission consists of professionals, one of which is a Christian named Victor Glover, who has participated in services with Churches of Christ in the Californian and Houston regions.
Glover was a former commander of the Navy who flew combat sorties in Iraq and assisted the late U.S. Sen. John McCain before his 2013 entry into NASA.
Historic Crewed Moon Mission to Take Place in December 2024
According to Religion Unplugged, when Glover set out on a six-month mission to the International Space Station in 2020 with his Bible and communion cups, he made history by becoming the first Black astronaut assigned to a long-duration mission.
Even though he had previously stated in an interview that he wanted to visit the moon, he still needed to anticipate being chosen for the Artemis II mission. Although he won't be walking on the moon just yet, he will be the first Black astronaut to visit the moon thanks to this expedition.
NASA believes the Artemis II mission will open the way for future moon landings, establish a permanent presence on the moon, and prepare humanity for crewed expeditions to Mars. Glover thanked God for the excellent chance at the Artemis announcement ceremony in Houston.
Glover also stressed that the importance of this moment in human history is being celebrated, not just the four people who were announced to be mission team members. In addition to receiving God's blessings, he prays that the mission would inspire coexistence and peace inside and across nations.
Christian Chronicle said former military pilot Victor Glover had to develop patience before starting his NASA training. He understood the difference between discipline and patience and needed the latter. He would have already changed employment twice or three times and moved twice or thrice in the Navy. However, he has learned the virtue of patience during his seven years with NASA.
Even though he understood he had no control over it, he kept praying and thinking about going to the moon. He also resumed journaling, which he discovered to be a test of patience. He journaled a lot throughout his three-year assignment to the Artemis II mission. Glover is aware that the space station represents a novel approach to space living and that this might be his final chance to see the moon.
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The First Missions to the Moon
Another source, Christian Post, said that with the Apollo 11 mission, the first NASA moon landing occurred in July 1969. The last crewed mission to travel and set foot on the moon was Apollo 17, which happened in December 1972. To work on a series of demonstrations for the flying test, a four-person crew will journey together in November of next year.
Norm Knight, director of flight operations at the NASA Johnson Space Center, expressed his satisfaction with the group and their skills and capabilities to launch missions to the moon. They will push themselves to the limit on the Artemis II mission as they prepare to deliver humans to the moon. But Knight is confident that they are prepared to overcome any difficulties that may emerge.
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