Keith’s note: Imagine that I am a regular person trying to find those 12,000 Artemis II images from links in all the recent articles about them. If you go to https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov and search for “Artemis II” or “ArtemisII” or “Artemis” you get one search result (see image). If you search for “Moon” you see “Lunar Collection” which has nothing from Artemis – nor are there any ‘Artemis’ links elsewhere on this Moon page. If you go to the NASA Artemis page or the Artemis II page these 12,000 Artemis II images are not even mentioned.

Keith’s Note: Last week we all had a moment to savor just how extraordinary the Artemis II mission was – not only for its technological prowess- but more importantly the sense of pride, wonder, and inspiration it generated here and across the world. So, how do we reward the team who did this? We – gut their budget – for the second year in a row -of course. Congratulations! A preview from the LA Times: A renewed threat to JPL as the Trump administration tries again to cut NASA.

Keith’s note: A media question asked the crew about the removal of the initial “First woman and first person of color” aspirational tag line for Artemis from all NASA websites and materials (by the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI purge.) The answer in a nutshell was that this initial decision had been made a while back such that it will still happen – no matter what – even if it takes a little longer to come to pass. I just Googled and found one remaining example. Let’s see if the anti-DEI squad at NASA PAO deletes it. Or, since it came to pass, if they’d just let it be.

Keith’s note: The Artemis II astronauts (and their mascot “rise”) will hold a news conference at 2:30 pm EDT today Thursday to discuss their mission around the Moon. Apparently they had no fun whatsoever. You can watch on NASA’s YouTube channel or watch other options. I will be live on BBC World News at between 2:30 – 3:30 PM EDT to provide live commentary on their comments.

Keith’s note: Former Deputy/Acting NASA Administrator Fred Gregory posted this on Facebook and it is reposted here with his permission. “What an accomplishment after such a long multi-generational pause between our moon adventures. Somehow this current excitement must be sustained, motivated not by a competitive adversary but an intense curiosity of what’s out there and why learning and exploring and discovery allows a civilization to survive. After more than 2 years Artemis 2 clearly represents what we can do, but I don’t see or feel the underlying motivation nor excitement to do much more.” More below

Keith’s note: The Artemis II mission got off to a slow start. Then it hit the road at warp speed. The novelty of a Moon mission and swelling media coverage all helped to push some of the bad news aside for a few minutes every hour. Real pictures exceeding the best SciFi splashed out on social media and TV. Many people were pleasantly caught by surprise that this was even happening. But soon the crew will be home. And the hoopla will subside – and then quickly disappear. Humanity just mounted its first mission to another world in half a century and we’re already moving on the latest war or scandal. This happened after the first Apollo missions. Are we doomed to see history repeat itself with Artemis? Or can NASA and the broader world community keep this nascent era of interplanetary exploration alive and at the forefront on people’s daily lives – especially the “Artemis Generation”. Follow-through and building momentum is harder than the hardest rocket science. Just sayin’ More to follow.

Keith’s 11 Nov 2025 note: 75% – 3/4 of the people on this planet have never seen humans walk on another world. We’re suddenly in a race to go back to the Moon and we are not clearly in the lead. The next time humans walk on the Moon will be the first time this happens as far as most of humanity is concerned. History is just history. Instead of grainy, flickering black and white imagery on a hulking television we’ll all see people bouncing on the Moon in 4K streaming on our cellphones. How does NASA adapt to this paradigm shift? So far, it is not doing that well. More below.

Keith’s note: Space fans worry online about lack of awareness about Artemis II. Only now do they see the need to engage with the public. Duh. Try talking to folks outside your bubble – every day. Jared Isaacman says 2027 will have monthly NASA moon missions. OK. Start talking that up. Now.

Keith’s note: NASA PAO has posted a how-to article on interviews with Artemis II crew today for media who either have no idea how to do an interview or for media in a hurry. Lots of leading questions are suggested. And there’s a link to request an interview (you can’t request one by email). No mention of questions about the current president are offered – so someone at HQ 9th floor will likely issue a reprimand – and make an update.

Keith’s note: Yesterday I taped a long form 16 minute interview with David Levitz at Deutsche Welle about NASA’s big Moon plan changes. Yes, I am excited – and after waiting 50 years for this, I am a little impatient too. Let’s go back to the Moon – to stay. Video