Artemis II and Beyond
Science and Research

This talk will be shown on our big screen at the Martz-Kohl Observatory and available online via Zoom. You are encouraged to come to the observatory to meet an Artemis Mission team member, as well as the astronomy team at MKO, to join in what could be a lively Q&A after the talk. Facility tours will follow. Dress appropriately for the weather as if you were outside. The classroom is heated but the domes are not.

Humans are heading back to the Moon—not just to visit, but to pioneer the future of space science. Artemis II will propel a crew of four into deep space for a ten-day mission of discovery. From their unique position near the lunar surface, the crew will facilitate vital investigations into radiation and human biology, gathering the “survival data” necessary to make long-term human presence in space a reality. This talk will provide a deep dive into the science and research that will define the upcoming voyages to the Moon and the eventual path to Mars.

Looking further ahead, the presentation will illuminate the ambitious goals of Artemis III, the mission destined to land the first humans near the lunar South Pole. This thirty-day expedition involves a complex sequence of maneuvers where two crew members will descend to the lunar surface for an intensive week of exploration. Their work will focus on lunar and planetary geology in a region that has remained largely mysterious until now. By conducting on-site science in the permanently shadowed craters of the South Pole, these pioneers will uncover secrets about the solar system’s history and the presence of vital resources like water ice.

This event offers a rare opportunity for a general audience to engage with a NASA team member who is directly working to turn the dream of a long-term lunar presence into a reality.

 

Zoom Meeting

A non-member donation of $5.00 is appreciated but not required for presentations and events.  You can donate on our donation page. Thanks!

Time: February 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM, Eastern Time

Topic: Stephanie Buskirk-Dudley
Meeting ID:  849 0931 4375
Passcode: program

Click the “One Clink Link” shown below. When prompted, click “open zoom.us” in the dialog shown by your browser. If you don’t see a dialog, click the blue “Launch Meeting” in the webpage.

One Click Link: February 2026 Zoom Link

Zoom URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84909314375?pwd=t83oU9wQt9ur5fGjJ5K7QDumdYczUp.1