Philadelphia third-graders' names orbit the moon on artemis ii
Nine-year-olds in Philadelphia are experiencing a celestial first: their names are circling the moon aboard NASA’s artemis II mission, a historic return to deep space exploration that hasn’t occurred in over half a century. It’s a remarkable journey sparked by a simple act of kindness and a retired NASA engineer’s desire to reciprocate.
From thank you notes to lunar orbit
The improbable odyssey began last November when students in Laura McManus and Marisol Booth's third-grade class at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy penned heartfelt thank you cards to veterans. One of those cards found its way to Rick Yasky, a retired Navy pilot, former NASA engineer, and current NASA contractor. Yasky, deeply moved by the children’s gesture, sought a way to return the favor. “I don’t know them. They don’t know me. And yet they took the time to reach out and write to me,” he recounted, explaining his motivation.
The surprise came in December. “Our names are going around the moon!” exclaimed Nora Walsh, a nine-year-old student, capturing the collective excitement. Yasky facilitated the students’ registration in a NASA outreach program, securing a place for their names on an SD card aboard the Orion spacecraft. More than 5.6 million “boarding passes” were distributed globally through the program, underscoring the mission’s widespread appeal.
But it’s not just about the novelty of having one’s name in space. Mira Mayo, another third-grader, had the extraordinary opportunity to meet astronaut Victor Glover, bringing her classroom lessons on space exploration to vibrant life. The experience, according to school staff, extends far beyond the scientific. “One of the values at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is thoughtfulness,” McManus emphasized. “This isn't about acquiring something extraordinary; it’s about embodying kindness, and witnessing this outcome feels like a beautiful culmination for our students.”
The artemis II mission, slated to conclude later this week, marks a pivotal moment in humanity’s renewed ambition to explore beyond Earth's orbit. The children of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy aren't just passive observers; they are integral components of this grand narrative, a testament to the power of small gestures and the enduring human fascination with the cosmos. As the Orion spacecraft completes its lunar flyby, the names of these young Philadelphians will drift silently through the void, a quiet echo of hope and wonder.