CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Lines formed outside the Tellus Science Museum observatory as local stargazers gathered to watch the Artemis II crew splashdown safely off the coast of California, a moment many said renewed interest in space exploration.
“Lots of people have been asking about it and I think it really has reignited this interest in space for people,” said Karisa Zdanky, astronomy program manager at Tellus Science Museum.
Museum visitors alternated between peering through telescopes and watching a live stream of the landing, reacting in real time as the Orion spacecraft capsule completed re-entry — the phase some called the most dangerous part of the mission.
“Returning is probably the most dangerous part of the trip so everyone is really concerned just because of them having to reenter through the atmosphere,” said Zdanky.
“We know that what we’ve done works, they’re safe,” she said.
The successful return also resonated with longtime space watchers who remember the Apollo era and want to see sustained momentum.
“It’s the right step. Got a long way to go,” Martin Hickey said, reflecting on how he watched Apollo missions as a child.
Hickey also recalled a personal detail from the era, saying Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon the day before his birthday.
“I’m a little kid going, ‘He could have waited for my birthday,’” he said.
For others, the mission became part of a milestone moment. One couple who said they were celebrating their anniversary at the observatory watched the stars while following the splashdown.
“Pretty cool to see it happen during my lifetime,” said James Christopher.
His wife, Alicia, said the safe return highlighted pride. “I think there’s a sense of pride like look at what we’ve been able to accomplish,” she said.
As crowds filtered out, many attendees said the astronauts’ return left them optimistic about what comes next.
“There’s so much hope for the future if we don’t screw things up,” said Hickey.
There is also a local connection to the Artemis II mission. Dr. Jeff Pilgrim, a University of Georgia graduate, created a device that helped monitor air quality inside the spacecraft. He said, “I am grateful that NASA has allowed my company, Vista Photonics, to participate in this mission, where scientific and engineering principles instilled by my multidisciplinary Franklin College education could be applied to protect the crew.”
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