CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — Viewers across the country witnessed history today with Artemis II’s splashdown.
“It’s been treated as not a big deal, and it is a big deal. But that’s going [to] come, I hope, with the program and more successes and more flights, maybe a base on the moon, and then maybe to Mars, I mean, I’m not going to be here to see that, but that’s what I’m hoping is going to come out all of this. This is what the future is,” said Canton resident Paul Lembo.
Lembo oversaw the manufacturing of the Apollo 11 lunar module that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.
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Lembo told News 13 that looking at photos from the Apollo missions fills him with memories of all the people who worked with him.
“That was a time when the country was together and it was nothing but pride, always had pride and we should have it today,” said Lembo.
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As Lembo prepared to watch the Artemis II landing on TV, members of the Astronomy Club of Asheville set up their telescopes for their monthly stargazing event that happened to land on the same day as the splashdown.
“We’re at 4,200 feet away from all city lights. Very dark sky here,” said Tommy Wilkinson, Astronomy Club of Asheville president.
He said he’ll likely watch the splashdown after the fact. Others at the event said they were going to watch the splashdown on their phone.
“Just incredible sense of accomplishment. Pride for those brave astronauts,” said Wilkinson.