Tri-State area celebrates historic Artemis II mission

Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Tri-State area celebrated the historic NASA Artemis II moon mission with several watch parties.

Artemis II made history, taking astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The four-person crew will launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, for a 10-day journey.

Krista McNally was at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, where she spoke to one person who worked on the Lunar module over 50 years ago.

Alan Contessa remembers being 22 years old, seeing the launch of Apollo 11, and being a part of the crew that built it.

Crowds gather at Cradle of Aviation for Artemis II liftoff


Anthony Johnson was at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, home of the largest planetarium in the western hemisphere.



Many gathered who are eager to see humans return to the moon for the first time since 1972.

Crowds gather at Liberty Science Center for Artemis II watch party



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