Several students and alumni gathered at Florida International University to tune in for the countdown to the launch of NASA’s Artemis II, humanity’s first lunar trip in more than a half century. As four astronauts rocketed through the sky to reach parts of space humankind has never gone befor e, several residents across South Florida stopped to look toward the horizon to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring sight. At Florida International University’s West Miami-Dade campus, students packed a classroom, buzzing with excitement just 20 minutes before the launch process was expected to begin. The lunar mission hits close to home for the university, with 13 FIU alumni having an active part in making NASA’s launch possible. All 13 of those former Panthers were hard at work near Cape Canaveral, ensuring Artemis II and its crew was fully prepared to head into space. With the last successful launch happening more than 50 years ago in 1972, Wednesday’s mission serves as a momentous inspiration for future generations and raising the limits of space exploration. “We have the technology, we have the brains and the desire to do hard things, just like when we went to the moon the first time, now we’re going back. It took the same drive, the same amount of work and anticipation to do that,” said Dr. James Webb, the director at FIU’s Stocker AstroScience Center. Webb added that the astronauts’ efforts will be a boon for all of humanity. “They’re doing it for all of us, not just for them, not just for the United States, for the entire world,” he said. Students who witnessed history unfolding in front of them were also motivated to dream high. “One of my career choices would be being in that control room or maybe being the one sending them off,” said FIU alum Jade Irizarry. “It’s inspiring honestly, to chase my own dreams to be at NASA,” said a student. “I want to work directly with these people, whether it’s NASA or another space company,” said Jacob, another FIU student. As liftoff began, students erupted in cheers before rushing upstairs to try to catch one final glimpse of the rocket flying across the Miami skyline into space. Beyond Wednesday’s launch, many found some of the crew members aboard the space craft equally as inspiring. “Christina, one of the astronauts, she’s one of the first women to do so much in space and she’s such an inspiration and it’s so inspiring to see that we’re finally sending a woman all the way to the moon,” said FIU student Hannah Moussa. From one generation to the next, watching Artemis II rocket into the stars was a unifying experience for those on the ground. “I felt like I was 15-years-old again, that’s how old I was the last time went to the moon in ’69, so I felt like that again,” said Webb. “I’m not going to let go, I’m going to hold this memory for sure,” said a student. ...read more read less