Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander, Shares His Journey Around the Moon in La Palma
It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to hear first-hand what it is like to travel into space, see the Moon from a spacecraft and return to Earth after a historic mission.
On Friday, 16 October 2026, we had the privilege of attending a talk at the Teatro Chico in Santa Cruz de La Palma by Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission, as part of the international Starmus 2026 festival.
The talk lasted approximately one hour and, quite frankly, left us wishing it had been much longer.
Wiseman shared anecdotes about astronaut training, mission preparations and launch, the journey towards the Moon, life and teamwork aboard the Orion spacecraft, and the challenges awaiting future space exploration missions.
Hearing these experiences directly from someone who had lived through them was an extraordinary opportunity for those of us who are passionate about astronomy and exploring the Universe.
Artemis II: Humanity Returns to the Moon’s Neighbourhood
The Artemis II mission, developed by NASA with the participation of the Canadian Space Agency, marked a milestone in space exploration: the first crewed journey around the Moon since the Apollo programme, more than half a century earlier.
The Orion spacecraft launched on 1 April 2026 aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Over approximately nine days, four astronauts travelled around the Moon before returning to Earth on 10 April.
The crew consisted of:
- Reid Wiseman, Mission Commander, NASA.
- Victor Glover, Pilot, NASA.
- Christina Koch, Mission Specialist, NASA.
- Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist, Canadian Space Agency.
Unlike the Apollo missions that landed astronauts on the lunar surface, Artemis II was not designed to land on the Moon.
Its primary objective was to test the Orion spacecraft’s systems and the operations required for future lunar exploration missions with astronauts on board.
During the lunar flyby, the crew were able to observe and photograph regions of the Moon’s far side and travelled farther from Earth than any previous crewed mission.
Artemis II therefore represents a major step forward in the Artemis programme, whose long-term goals include establishing sustained lunar exploration and preparing for future human missions to Mars.
Find out more about Artemis II on NASA’s official website.
An Hour of Stories and Experiences That Left Us Wanting More
Following a space mission through news reports, photographs and NASA broadcasts is one thing. Hearing someone who actually took part describe what the experience was like is something entirely different.
During his talk, Reid Wiseman brought us closer to the human side of space exploration.
He spoke about the training required to prepare for such a mission, the experience of launch, the approach to the Moon and the importance of the team behind such a complex operation.
He also shared his thoughts on future space exploration projects.
For those of us involved in science outreach, encounters like this have a special significance. They remind us that behind every major technological achievement are people, years of preparation, scientific research and an enormous collective effort.
Above all, they remind us that space exploration remains one of the greatest scientific adventures of our time.
Starmus 2026: Space Exploration Comes to La Palma
The talk took place as part of Starmus 2026, the international festival that brings together scientists, astronauts, researchers, musicians and science communicators to make science accessible to a wider audience.
Having someone like Reid Wiseman visit La Palma and share his experiences with the public is an extraordinary opportunity for an island so closely connected to astronomy.
La Palma is home to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, one of the world’s leading international astrophysical research facilities, and has a long history of protecting and promoting its night sky.
But astronomy is not just about observing distant objects through large telescopes. It is also about understanding how we explore space, develop new technologies and continue expanding our knowledge of the Universe.
Events like this help bring that side of science closer to the public.
There was, however, one slightly disappointing aspect. It was a real shame that such an exceptional talk was not announced further in advance, giving more people the chance to hear about it, make arrangements and take advantage of such a rare opportunity.
We ourselves rearranged all our work schedules because we knew this was something we simply did not want to miss.
Having the commander of a historic mission like Artemis II here in La Palma is a genuine privilege, and we believe that events of this importance deserve the widest possible publicity so that as many people as possible can enjoy them.
Ana García and Reid Wiseman: A Very Special Encounter
For Ana García, astrophysicist and founder of AstroLaPalma, attending this talk and having the opportunity to have her photograph taken with the Artemis II commander was a particularly special experience.
At AstroLaPalma, we have been dedicated to making astronomy accessible to the public since 2012, through stargazing experiences, visits to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and science outreach activities.
We believe science should be shared with scientific accuracy, but also in a way that is engaging, understandable and inspiring.
And listening to people who have actually travelled into space is an extraordinary way to convey that sense of wonder.
What a privilege it was to welcome Reid Wiseman to La Palma. An hour that felt far too short, and an encounter we will remember for a long time.
Because even if we cannot all travel to the Moon, we can all continue exploring and understanding the Universe.
Astronomy is for everyone.
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