Artemis II crew's return inspires NC State students at watch party
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A 10-day mission around the moon ended Friday as the Artemis II crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, drawing cheers from North Carolina State University students who gathered to watch the landing.
Many were especially moved to see NC State alum Christina Koch step out of the Integrity capsule after what space experts described as a "perfect bullseye splashdown."
"I never thought I'd be able to see something cool like this," NC State student Andrew Scarff said. "Growing up as a kid, I always had Apollo 11 poster up in my bedroom."
Students followed the mission from liftoff to landing, marking humanity's first trip to the moon in more than 50 years.
"It just hits really close to home. And seeing someone up there who's just been in our shoes," Scarff said.
Kate Scheer, another NC State student, said the group felt deeply connected to the astronauts throughout the mission.
"We all feel so connected with these astronauts we've never met," Scheer said. "Every time it's like, Oh, my crew made it back or my crew did this, and I love the human connection."
Scheer, who was also interviewed on launch day, said her excitement only grew as the mission progressed.
"It's such a magical thing to see us heading towards space again and all of the good that comes with it, the tech advancements, the connection, just the joy of being interested in space again," she said.
She watched the livestream closely, noting small moments that made the mission feel personal.
"I watched the livestream, oh, I saw the Nutella jar. Oh, I saw them naming craters," she said. "I know all of us watch them go around the dark side of the moon, and we're all holding our breath for that moment. They reconnected communication until we heard Christina Koch."
Koch's journey also inspired NC State student August Spitz, who once attended Space Camp. He returned to the Talley Student Union on Friday to watch the splashdown.
"I like watching all rocket launches, but sharing them with a bunch of students who are equally as excited," Spitz said. "Because this is one of our alumni who is returning from their mission, makes it all the more enjoyable."
As the capsule touched down, students celebrated what they saw as a flawless first step toward future exploration.
"I'm going to remember this until the day I die, because just it's our first trip back, you know, it's step one on our way back to space, and it went perfectly," Scheer said. "God bless."
The Artemis II mission marks a major step in NASA's plan to return humans to the moon and eventually push farther into deep space.
