As the Artemis II lunar flyby mission approaches its conclusion, Calgary-born astronaut Jenni Gibbons has expressed heartfelt gratitude to her hometown for its unwavering support. From her position at the NASA Mission Control Center in Houston, Gibbons is actively involved in preparations for the return of the four astronauts who have ventured beyond low-earth orbit for the first time since 1972.
A Historic Mission Unfolding
Gibbons, who recently enjoyed her first day off since the mission began last week, described the atmosphere at Mission Control as one of intense dedication and excitement. "We are absolutely fuelled by coffee and doughnuts and pizza in that place," she shared. "It's this place of teamwork, camaraderie, excitement and wonder over what we're seeing up there."
The 10-day mission has progressed exceptionally well, with the spacecraft performing beyond expectations. "The crew is in good spirits, and it's just been a joy to see the scientific information, but also the human moments that they've called down to us," Gibbons noted. "It's been really an incredible honour to witness."
Breaking Records and Making History
On Monday, the Artemis II mission achieved a monumental milestone during its lunar flyby. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen broke the record for the farthest distance from Earth travelled by humans, reaching 252,756 miles. This surpassed the previous record of 248,655 miles set by Apollo 13.
"They lost the signal behind the moon and came back with us on the other side," Gibbons recounted with evident emotion. "The description they shared of the eclipse that we saw has just been the thing that I thought was impossible." Being part of this historic achievement is something she says she will cherish forever.
Preparations for Homecoming
With the planned splashdown scheduled for Friday just off the coast of San Diego, preparations are already underway. The crew has begun reconfiguring their cabin, preparing their seats and suits, and organizing their stowage for the return journey.
"I'll be watching for mission control," Gibbons explained. "I'll be with the families and we're looking forward to that great news on the other side once they splash down and they're recovered."
Calgary's Role in Space Exploration
Gibbons credits her Calgary upbringing for fostering her fascination with space and the natural world. "Thank you to Calgary for setting me out on this journey," she expressed. "I think that the roots of my fascination with space in our natural world were really fuelled and planted by this amazing space that we have in Calgary and how accessible the outdoors are."
She continued, "I'm so grateful for spending a good portion of my childhood there and what it gave me, just this foundation of curiosity. And thank you to Calgary and the support that Calgarians show."
On Friday, TELUS Spark in Calgary will host a watch party for the Artemis II splashdown. Gibbons said it brings her immense happiness and gratitude to know about the support she receives from her hometown, even if she cannot witness it directly from Houston.
The successful Artemis II mission represents not only a triumph for international space exploration but also a proud moment for Calgary, whose native daughter is playing a crucial role in this historic endeavor. As the world watches the astronauts' safe return, Gibbons' journey from Calgary to the forefront of space exploration serves as an inspiring testament to how local communities can nurture global achievements.
