As the historic Artemis II Moon mission unfolds, the four NASA astronauts who are part of this pioneering journey have taken a moment to send heartfelt messages to their families and to those who dream of following in their footsteps. This poignant communication came as they geared up for their long-awaited trip back to Earth.

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, who hails from the Canadian Space Agency, took the opportunity on Thursday to express their deep appreciation and hopes for the future to their loved ones and aspiring astronauts around the globe.

Reid Wiseman began the emotional exchange by extending his profound gratitude to his daughters, highlighting the unwavering support from his family. “It has been an incredibly proud moment for me as a father, witnessing the joy in their expressions and in the way they communicate with me,” he shared, clearly moved by their encouragement.

Following Wiseman, Jeremy Hansen offered words that resonated deeply with many. He provided an inspiring message to his children, urging them to embrace each day with their best efforts. “The one thing I’d remind you,” he emphasized, “is that all you have to do on any given day is get up and do your best.” Hansen encouraged them to find joy in their daily lives and to strive to contribute positively and meaningfully.

Hansen followed, his message tugging on the heartstrings as he gave his children an inspiring reminder: ‘The one thing I’d remind you… is that all you have to do at any given day is get up and do your best.

‘Try and find joy in your day and try to contribute in a meaningful, positive way,’ he said.

The microphone was passed to Glover, who shared a touching message for his kids, one that also resonated deeply with the crew inside the spacecraft. 

Glover started off by speaking about his unwavering support for his children, saying he looks forward to standing behind them as they chase their dreams. 

‘I hope this mission is giving you something you can take… that you keep with you,’ Glover said.

The four NASA astronauts making their way as a part of the historic Artemis II moon mission gave powerful messages to loved ones back on Earth

The team set off on April 1, marking humanity’s first mission to reach the moon since 1972

‘It’s not because we want you to see what we’ve tried to show you, it’s because we want you to take this, and build a vocabulary, to explain the world to us.’

Koch gushed over her nine nieces and nephews, thanking them for their letters and love: ‘It truly touched my mission and I feel like you’re here with me.’

The team lifted off on April 1, marking humanity’s first mission to reach the moon since 1972.

It was the furthest space exploration mission undertaken in human history, coming 57 years after American astronauts first set foot on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. 

This monumental journey is expected to travel a maximum distance from Earth of 252,799 miles, crushing the Apollo 13 record by 4,144 miles.

The ten-day journey saw the astronauts launch into orbit and then separate their Orion spacecraft from the launch vehicle, break out of low-Earth orbit, circle the moon and then return. 

The historic flight is the first step in NASA’s new multi-step to land on the moon by 2028 at the earliest. 

The four astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission have begun their return journey to Earth after a successful 10-day flight around the moon

Artemis II entered space just four minutes into its historic journey to the moon as crowds of fans watched across Florida

Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1 as one Southwest Airlines passenger captured incredible footage of the rocket soaring through the sky

Chris Pappas’ video captured the clear blue skies, with only the plane’s wing in view until a line of smoke was seen trailing behind the flaming rocket in the distance

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (left), Victor Glover (second left), Christina Koch (second right) and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (right)

NASA has said the Artemis campaign is about laying the groundwork for future Mars missions, harnessing space’s economic benefits and creating an enduring human presence beyond Earth.

It’s also—as is anything these days in the United States—about heading off China’s own lunar land grab: Washington wants to remain in front of Beijing’s own plans to put a man on the moon by 2030.

But Artemis appears to be the opening step in a much more consequential infrastructure race that also pits Washington against Beijing—a giant leap toward an extraterrestrial AI future.