On This Day: The Eagle Has Landed

Buzz Aldrin standing next to the American Flag. Photo Credit: NASA

Fifty-six years ago today, the world paused to witness a moment that would change history forever. On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 touched down on the surface of the Moon, and Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto another world. For many, it was the pinnacle of American ingenuity and global possibility—a bold testament to what humanity could achieve when it dared to look up.

Today, that same spirit endures.

As we mark the anniversary of the Moon landing, the focus isn’t just on the past, but on the future. NASA’s Artemis program—named after Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology—aims to return humans to the lunar surface and pave the way for a sustainable presence in deep space.

This time, the mission looks different. Artemis will send the first woman and the first person of color to the Moon. The goal is not just to land, but to build—to establish the foundation for long-term exploration and, eventually, missions to Mars. It’s a continuation of Apollo’s legacy, but with modern technology, broader representation, and a global coalition.

As NASA Administrator Bill Nelson recently emphasized: “We are returning to the Moon in a way we never have before, and the safety of our astronauts is NASA’s top priority… Artemis represents what we can accomplish as a nation – and as a global coalition.”

Over the last few years, the world has watched Artemis slowly take shape. The uncrewed Artemis I mission proved that NASA’s new Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft could withstand the rigors of deep-space travel. Next will come Artemis II—the first crewed test flight around the Moon—followed by the long-awaited Artemis III, which aims to land humans on the lunar surface for the first time in over half a century.

The countdown is on. As humanity reflects on that first “giant leap,” we also look ahead to the next. A future once imagined in black-and-white TV signals is now being engineered in real time; by

scientists, engineers, explorers, and dreamers who believe we are not done yet.

Artemis is set to launch no later than April 2026.