‘Everything’s beginning to feel a lot more real now’: Western Space members play role in Artemis mission

Western University researchers are preparing for the upcoming Artemis II moon launch. CTV London’s Sean Irvine has the details.

When the Artemis II Mission lifts off, faculty and students at Western University will be watching closely.

Especially a select few working on future missions.

“My excitement level is through the roof and spilling out of my ears! It’s amazing!” said Western Space PhD candidate Jack Hostrawer.

He is playing a small role on the broader Artemis team.

“There’s just a little part of you that almost doesn’t even believe it! Even now, with the rocket on the launch pad and they’re putting fuel in it. It’s just so big,” he said.

While Hostrawer will join other students to watch the launch from London, Ont., another Western scientist will see it as close as non-NASA personnel can get.

Dr. Gordon Osinski is part of the science team planning for Artemis III, the first mission that will land on the moon and later return with space rocks.

“We will have a new batch of samples from somewhere on the moon we’ve never been to before, either with robots or humans,” he told CTV News.

But with the Artemis III Mission two years away, Osinski is focused on the launch of Artemis II.

“Everything’s beginning to feel a lot more real now with Jeremy Hansen, somebody I know very well. I mean, he is about to be strapped to the top of the rocket and head off to the moon,” said Osinski.

It is an event few under 60 could relate until now.

Osinski hopes it creates a new era of space excitement and cooperation, in a time the world needs positive distractions.

“I really do hope that Artemis II is going to elevate the profile of space in Canada and around the world.”

Hostrawer added, “This is going to open up decades worth of new science projects for new students to discover new things, like we’re we are not just here for Artemis II, we’re here for the story that is just about to begin.”