To say that the Artemis 2 launch on Wedneday got people hyped is an understatement, as many were overjoyed that they were able to witness this historic moment, taking astronauts one step closer to returning to the Moon.
It has been over half a century now since humans last stepped foot on the Moon and while the reasons for the lengthy absence are considered to be embarrassing by many, it's all been forgotten in the rush of excitement.
It's still going to be a while before the crew is able to land on Earth's nearest natural satellite as that feat will be reserved for the subsequent Artemis 3 mission, yet this latest launch is still going to be the furthest any crewed spacecraft has ever gone by distance alone.
The launch itself had been delayed to the frustration of many, and the prospect of another cancellation was threatened amid lightning clouds just before launch — but thankfully everything went off without a hitch.
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Many people gathered nearby the Kennedy Space Center to witness the launch in person, and a CNN interview with one young child has gone viral on social media with many sharing his overwhelming emotion.
Shared by Collin Rugg on X, the clip shows a CNN reporter asking a boy in a NASA cap why he wanted to be there to witness the launch, alongside his adoration for space and love for 'being a part of history'.
Showing no reservation for being live on air, the boy issued a simple yet effective response: "We're going back to the f***ing moon, that's why!"
Many have resonated with his enthusiasm, sharing the exactly same infectious buzz that seems unavoidable — especially if you were one of the lucky ones to be present at the launch site.
It's inevitable that this will only grow as the Artemis project reaches its next steps too, as not only will we receive the highest quality footage possible of the Moon's dark side, but human presence will finally be returned to the Moon, leading potentially even to the establishment of a base at some point in the near future according to NASA officials.
"Straight to the point," one commenter wrote in response to the child's statement, adding that you "can't argue with that logic tbh."
Another added that it's "the most honest answer you'll ever get," with a third noting that "you can't fake that kind of excitement. That's what real inspiration looks like when you're doing something historic. Space brings out something different in people. Especially when it's to the Moon."