By Joe Gillin
As we enter 2026 and plunge into activity for this year’s midterm elections, we are aware of the world around us with all of its tensions and turmoil. Some of us are old enough to remember the year 1968 with its assassinations, social unrest, international crises, plus the long and bloody Vietnam War that engaged public attention. Yet after that year’s presidential election, as the Christmas season approached, there was not just a quiet interlude from all the disturbing news, but a moment of epic inspiration as America’s Apollo program of pioneering lunar exploration was ramping up. Apollo 8 would be the first journey of humans away from the immediate vicinity of Earth out to circle the Moon. The mission collected valuable scientific and technical data that paved the way for the later landing missions but is remembered most for the awesome views of Earth from the Moon and the stirring reading by the crew of the first verses of Genesis during their Christmas Eve TV broadcast. Those later missions over the next four years ended in 1972.
After more than fifty long years, at another time of crises and social unrest, humans are about to set out for the Moon again, to loop behind it on this first mission. Many will look up at the Moon and for the first time realize that there are people out there. After fits and starts over several administrations, the current Artemis program was begun under President Donald Trump’s first term. The Artemis II launch could come as soon as next week, February 8th, though it could be subject to delays due to technical issues or cold weather. (Yes, even in Florida!) The crew will orbit the Earth for a day or two to check out systems before heading out for the Moon. The trip out and back will take about eight days, providing new views of the far side of the Moon and the Earth beyond it.
Following this first flight, Artemis III is planned to land humans on the Moon by the end of 2028. That is a tight deadline but two of America’s leading space companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, along with others, are working on solutions to accomplish this goal. Within a few years, using newer reuseable rockets, a permanent presence will be established on the Moon to develop its resources. Returning to the Moon is not just an issue of pride and inspiration, but an expanding sphere of economic and national security interest. China is actively pursuing its own human lunar program.
These space activities also have a local impact. Most residents of Maryland don’t realize how much of a role this state plays in the space industry. The Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, along with other Earth and space science missions, were developed and are operated out of Maryland centers. In proportion to population, Maryland is as much of a leading space state as Florida, Texas, California, etc. (GOP candidates and elected officials, take note!) Thousands of Maryland residents work at various government, industry, and academic facilities involved in space. Many of these people and their families live and vote here in Montgomery County. The growing NASA and commercial activities at the Wallops Island spaceport near Chincoteague, VA have a positive economic impact on the Maryland eastern shore. Families will even have more frequent opportunities to combine viewing a space launch up close with an Ocean City vacation!
Taking the larger, long-term view, returning to the Moon is only one step in a larger human expansion into space. Expanding into new frontiers to peacefully access abundant material resources to provide for future generations is a vital part of building a culture of life and ensuring a new birth of freedom.
Finally, we need to be mindful that these missions are not without risk. Indeed, there is debate about some risks being taken with this first mission. So, we need to pray for our voyagers, that they boldly go and safely return. We can remember the words of President John F. Kennedy in 1962. “And, therefore, as we set sail, we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.”
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Joe Gillin is a member of the Montgomery County Republican Party's Executive Committee.