Artemis II pilot preaches from space

Gina Christian, OSV News

As the astronauts of NASA's first manned lunar flyby in half a century reached their closest point to the Moon, the team's pilot reminded Earth of Jesus Christ's commandment to love God and neighbor.

«As we approach the closest point to the Moon and the farthest point from Earth, as we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries that exists on Earth: love,» said astronaut Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II mission, addressing ground control April 6 from NASA's Orion Integrity spacecraft.

«Christ said, in response to the most important commandment, which was to love God with our whole being,» Glover said. «And also, being a great teacher, he said the second is just as important: to love your neighbor as yourself...».

Glover's Christianity

Glover is a Christian from the Church of Christ, a branch of Protestantism with a strong biblical foundation, has spoken publicly about his faith, quoting Psalm 30 during his previous mission to the International Space Station, he shared that message minutes before the Integrity suffered a planned 40-minute disruption in communications with ground control as the spacecraft passed behind the moon, causing radio and laser signals to be blocked.

The spacecraft lifted off April 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a 10-day journey that took the crew around the Moon, traveling 695,081 miles from launch to splashdown off the coast of San Diego.

The Artemis II mission traveled a record maximum distance of 252,760 miles from Earth, more than 4,100 miles more than the 1970 Apollo 13 mission.

Joining Glover in space will be commander Reid Wiseman and two mission specialists: Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who is the first Canadian astronaut to undertake a lunar mission.

Artemis II's priorities focus on preparing for human exploration of deep space and laying the groundwork for what NASA calls «a sustained presence on the Moon.».

A message of peace

Given that the flight took place amid widespread geopolitical conflicts and tensions, from Ukraine to an ever-widening war in the Middle East, Glover's most recent remarks echoed earlier comments about how the lunar mission also reaffirms human dignity, as well as the need for unity and gratitude in the midst of entrenched conflicts.

Glover, speaking from the spacecraft April 5 with CBS News, said that «as we approach Easter Sunday, thinking about all the cultures of the world, whether they celebrate it or not, whether they believe in God or not, this is an opportunity to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same, and that we have to get through this together.».

«When I read the Bible and see all the wonderful things that were done for us who were created, I think of this amazing place, this spaceship,» he said. «You talk to us because we are on a spaceship far away from Earth, but you are on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe.».

He added: «Maybe the distance that separates us from you makes you think that what we do is special, but we are at the same distance. And what I'm trying to tell you - trust me - they are special.».

Glover, the first black astronaut to travel around the moon, pointed to «this whole void» and «a whole lot of nothing» that «we call the universe,» describing Earth as «this oasis, this beautiful place» where «we can exist together.».

Speaking to BBC News ahead of the mission, Glover said, «When we're behind the Moon, cut off from everyone, let's take that opportunity. Let's pray, let's hope and let's send our best wishes that we can get back in touch with the crew.».

Moments before the April 6 loss of signal - which ended on schedule, with the crew emerging safely on their homeward trajectory - Glover said, «As we prepare to lose radio communication, we can still feel your love from Earth. And to all of you down there on and around Earth, we love you from the Moon.».

«Houston, copy that,» ground control replied. «See you on the other side.».