A New Generation Looks to the Moon: Perspectives on Artemis

The successful completion of the Artemis II mission marked the first time in more than half a century that humans traveled to the vicinity of the Moon. For a generation born after the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, it represents not just a technical milestone, but a defining moment—a generation’s first lived experience of the United States’ renewed push into deep space.

As part of the Why Go to the Moon? series, former Aerospace Security Project interns examine what Artemis means for the future of exploration. Their perspectives point to two defining features of this new era: the central role of allied partnerships and the Moon’s function as a stepping stone to Mars and beyond.

Stronger Together: Allied Power as the United States’ Advantage in Space

Chantal Li, Former Intern, Aerospace Security Project

“Reed, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy, on this historic mission, you take with you the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of a new generation.” — Charlie Blackwell-Thompson

Until Artemis II, a total of 24 people had traveled to the Moon, all American astronauts. As Artemis II completed its lunar flyby, Jeremy Hansen became the first Canadian and non-American to visit deep space, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of allied space cooperation. This milestone captures the next era of crewed space exploration: a foundation of allied partnership.

The United States is not pursuing Artemis alone. The European Space Agency (ESA)’s European Service Module provides the propulsion capabilities of the Orion Spacecraft. Over 100 European suppliers and 13 ESA member states contributed to the module. Throughout the Artemis II mission, European engineers, like those at NASA, will provide continuous support to the module. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is also expected to contribute surface instruments and a Lunar Rover in future Artemis missions. Allied capabilities are central to the present and future of U.S. space exploration.

China is advancing its own lunar ambitions, aiming for a crewed Moon landing at the end of 2030, but largely without the kind of deeply integrated partnerships that Artemis represents. As such, China’s achievements in space will be seen as more unilateral and less reflective of shared international progress. Leveraging allied specializations and expertise will enable the United States and its partners to prevail in the new space race, reflecting the jointness of humanity’s ambitions in space. Artemis II is a reminder that the decisive advantage the United States holds over China is its strong network of allies. Going to the Moon and beyond is not an endeavor to be embarked on alone, and Artemis II lays the foundation for the crewed deep-space missions that will define the future of exploration and competition.

Beyond the Moon: Artemis as the Gateway to Mars

Jack Seay, Former Intern, Aerospace Security Project

“The four of us glimpsed the red hues of Mars far in the distance as the sun slipped behind the Moon and there was zero doubt in our minds that the creative genius of our greatest minds will have us there very soon." — Reid Wiseman

The value in Artemis II comes not from where it is going, but from what lies beyond. “Been there, done that” is a relevant argument about returning to the Moon’s orbit—the United States has already sent astronauts to the Moon, so what’s the point? Two relevant and practical aspects make going back to the Moon worthwhile.

Technology has advanced to the point where technologies and methods for supporting long-term human habitation on planets other than Earth could be studied through a permanent presence on the Moon. While the practical rationale for living on other celestial bodies is still far-fetched, it should not be out of the question for future generations. Herein lies the short-term value in all of this: Mars. As the closest planet with conditions most similar to Earth, featuring more gravity and a thin atmosphere compared to other planets in our solar system, Mars represents the practical next step for human exploration and potential habitation. It is the next mountain to climb and the next race to win, with the Artemis program holding the keys to the ignition.

Artemis II, III, and IV will also hopefully jumpstart the nation’s enthusiasm and intrigue when it comes to space—as the Space Shuttle program did for me—giving NASA and the private sector the motivation to invest resources in lunar research to support future crewed missions to Mars. Six American flags still stand on the Moon, symbols of what was achieved during the Apollo 11 Moon landing and the missions that followed. But for younger generations, those moments are history, not memory. Not only does Artemis offer something new to the next generation—sending humans farther into space than they have ever been—but it presents a new chapter, one that potentially includes a stream of defining moments, culminating in winning the race to Mars. This would be the new pinnacle of U.S. space power, which, as was seen in the 1960s and 1970s, strengthens national power and prestige.

Clayton Swope is the deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project and a senior fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Chantal Li is a former Aerospace Security Project intern at CSIS. Jack Seay is a former Aerospace Security Project intern at CSIS.