So, if you’ve been paying attention to the sky (or just your feed), you know NASA just leveled up. We finally sent four humans—including the first woman and the first person of color to leave low Earth orbit—on a 10-day slingshot around the Moon.
It’s been over 50 years since the Apollo missions wrapped up in '72. For half a century, we’ve basically been hanging out in Earth’s backyard (the International Space Station). But now, we’re heading back into the deep woods. While there is so much about this that deserves a closer look, I want to begin with the mythology behind the name of the mission itself: Artemis.
Connecting modern space exploration to its mythological roots adds a layer of depth that makes the science so much more relatable. Here is a breakdown of why this name is so significant for NASA’s current mission.
The History: The Lunar Space Race and Apollo
Back in the ‘60s, space exploration was a "Space Race" fueled by Cold War ego and a desperate need to be first. It was a bright, fast, and aggressive sprint. We went, we planted a flag, and we left. In many ways, the mission was stereotypical Sun energy—intense, singular, and focused on a "giant leap" that ended as quickly as it started.
Who is Apollo?
In Greek mythology, Apollo is the God of the Sun, light, logic, and prophecy. He was the Golden Boy of Olympus who carted the sun across the sky with his chariot. By naming the original missions after him, NASA highlighted a mission of conquest and brilliance. Apollo did his job, and then he went the fuck home.
The Shift: Who is Artemis?
Now, 50 years later, NASA has officially passed the torch to Apollo’s twin sister. In the myths, Artemis and Apollo are two sides of the same coin. While her brother ruled the day, Artemis was the Goddess of the Moon.
Side Note: It’s worth noting that we’re finally using a name that actually matches the destination. Naming a lunar mission after the Goddess of the Moon feels like a level of mythological accuracy we should have had from the start. Just sayin…
Artemis wasn't interested in a throne. She was a huntress with dirty fingernails and a bow in her hand, defined by her independence and the survival skills she earned in the wild. She is the ultimate archetype of competence—exactly the kind of figure you want leading the way into the unknown.
The Symbolism and Relevance
By naming the new program Artemis, NASA is signaling a massive shift in how we approach the stars:
The Twin Successor: As the twin sister, Artemis honors the history of the original landings while marking a brand-new chapter. We’re moving past the visit stage and into a true era of lunar exploration.
The Archetype of the Huntress: Artemis represents skills over ego. This mission is committed to landing the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface, acknowledging that the strength required to navigate the cosmos isn't gendered—it’s human.
The Midwife of a New World: Legend has it that Artemis was born first and immediately helped her mother give birth to Apollo. If the original missions were the "first birth" of lunar travel, Artemis is here to "mother" the next phase: a permanent lunar base, a gateway to Mars, and a future where space travel is a normal part of the human experience.
Navigating the Shadows: While Apollo landed in the bright, sunny spots, Artemis is eyeing the Lunar South Pole—a treacherous, shadowed region. It’s fitting that we’re using the name of the goddess who can see in the dark to find the water ice hidden in the lunar "subconscious."
Stories matter. The Apollo missions were about Man conquering Space, but the Artemis missions feel like Humanity returning to a Relationship with the Moon. We are moving away from that old-school "conquer and claim" energy and toward something more sustainable, inclusive, and mature.
We aren’t just visiting anymore; we’re learning how to live in the wilderness. If you’re going to survive the deep, dark woods of space, you don't call the God of the Sun—you call the Huntress who knows the terrain. The Moon has always been her domain. Now that we’ve finally paid respect to the right goddess, perhaps she’ll give us her blessing to explore, set up post, and learn the secrets of the land so we can find success in our missions—both today and in the future.
