{"id":44152,"date":"2026-04-20T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/?p=44152"},"modified":"2026-04-17T21:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T01:08:26","slug":"yourvoice-curiosity-and-concern-surround-artemis-ii-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/tartan-news\/2026\/04\/20\/yourvoice-curiosity-and-concern-surround-artemis-ii-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"YourVoice: Curiosity and concern surround Artemis II mission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Following a successful test flight around the Moon, NASA recently sent four astronauts on a lunar flyby mission aboard Artemis II. The mission was the first crewed launch back to deep space in more than 50 years since NASA\u2019s last moon mission.\u00a0As Artemis II marks a steppingstone for NASA\u2019s goal to eventually put astronauts on Mars<\/a>, students at Sinclair College shared their thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard a lot of conspiracy theories, so I\u2019m kind of skeptical about it,\u201d said dental hygiene student Mora Menzie on her opinion of sending astronauts back to space.\u00a0She was referring to the moon landing 50 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menzie went on to say that people today still care about space exploration, specifically Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mora Menzie.<\/strong> CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Paige Burrell. <\/strong>CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s something exciting, especially with everything going on in the world.\u00a0It gives people something positive,\u201d said Paige Burrell, who is also studying dental hygiene.\u00a0Burrell noted that she would personally go to space if given the opportunity but understands why some people would be wary because of the dangers that come with space travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were some differing opinions when it came to NASA\u2019s budget.\u00a0Some students did not believe it was necessary to spend so much money on sending astronauts into space.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students like Burrell saw the positives that come with space exploration. \u201cIt can help people and advance technology,\u201d said Burrell.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other interviewees said they thought America should not be spending money on space exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI feel like we should focus more on fixing our own economy here at home than trying to see what\u2019s out there,\u201d said nursing student Lila Fudge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nursing professional Yasmin Amadi shared a similar sentiment and said America should focus more on the economy than space travel.\u00a0\u201cPeople involved in space missions can afford to go explore outer space without worries about their economy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lila Fudge. <\/strong>CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yasmin Amadi.<\/strong> CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Muhire Faustin. <\/strong>CONTRIBUTED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About the prospect of Americans going to Mars in the future, Amadi said, \u201cI personally believe we still have a lot to fix here before we go out trying to explore other planets.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fudge said her opinions on the subject were neutral.\u00a0\u201cI feel like it\u2019s kind of silly with everything going on, but at the same time, it\u2019s important to learn more about our surroundings,\u201d she said. “It could be good or bad. There’s a lot we don’t know yet.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI actually found out about the moon landing on social media,\u201d said nursing student Muhire Faustin.\u00a0He also said he “used to think the mission was questioning if people could survive in space or not.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faustin felt that America is spending too much money on the mission without any valid reason.\u00a0\u201cWhy spend all that money when you don\u2019t even know what you\u2019ll find?” he said.\u00a0“First, better your country, then go on space exploration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tartans’ responses reflect a mix of curiosity, excitement and concern. While some view Artemis II as a step toward the future, others believe immediate issues on Earth should take priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jean-Luc Nsabindora, reporter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n