New Era for Space Dawns as Artemis Astronauts Return

Brian Cox, English physicist and musician.

After a 10-day journey around the far side of the Moon, the four astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission are set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean late on Friday.

The historic mission, which set a record during its lunar flyby for how far humans have ever ventured into space, marks a significant step towards returning to the Moon’s surface for the first time since 1972, as well as laying the foundation for future exploration.

The UN’s advocate for space, internationally acclaimed physicist, author and broadcaster Brian Cox, told the UN: “It’s not just about exploration anymore, it’s about making everybody’s life better.”

The NASA Artemis programme aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, explore the lunar South Pole, and test technologies for future crewed missions to Mars.

As the United Nations marks this milestone on the International Day of Human Space Flight, Cox said space is no longer science fiction but an important part of everyday life and the global economy.

Space technology is increasingly helping to address major global challenges, including climate change, disaster management and sustainable development.

Satellite imagery supports monitoring of crop yields, water resources and deforestation in real time, while satellite connectivity helps bridge the digital divide through e-learning and telemedicine in remote areas.

He also highlighted the growing risks in orbit, noting that Earth’s orbit is becoming increasingly crowded, with thousands of satellites launched in recent years and millions of pieces of debris now in space. He warned that even tiny fragments can cause serious damage and raise the risk of cascading collisions.

Cox recalled earlier milestones such as the 1975 Apollo–Soyuz mission, calling it an early example of international cooperation in space. He said collaboration remains essential as more countries enter the space sector.

He added that space should remain accessible to all and expressed hope that future exploration, including missions to Mars, will continue under a spirit of global cooperation, possibly even symbolised by a United Nations flag on the Martian surface.