Slate Daily Feed Are We Over the Moon?
Jan 4, 2026
Joel Achenbach, a seasoned journalist from the Washington Post and author of 'Moondoggle,' dives into the complex world of NASA's Artemis program. He discusses the public confusion surrounding the moon mission and its political motivations. Achenbach highlights the logistical challenges of returning to the moon versus the difficulties of Mars exploration. He also examines budget constraints, the roles of private contractors like SpaceX, and the implications of leadership changes at NASA, all while addressing the waning interest in space exploration among younger generations.
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Public Confusion About Artemis
- Joel Achenbach asked his daughter what she knew about Artemis and she thought it was puzzling because we'd already been to the moon.
- He found neighbors who confused Artemis with a Mars plan, showing broad public unfamiliarity.
Space No Longer Feels Existential
- Space exploration once felt existential and central to national identity during the 1960s space race.
- Today, that urgency is gone and the public ties democracy preservation to other issues, not lunar missions.
Moon As A Stepping Stone To Mars
- NASA has oscillated between moon and Mars goals across administrations, creating long-term program instability.
- The moon serves as a realistic proving ground for Mars because Mars missions are far riskier and costlier.