At NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, excitement is reaching cosmic proportions as Richard Wear, a longtime engineer, plays a vital role in humanity's return to the Moon. The Artemis II mission, poised to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over half a century, has Wear feeling proud and deeply honored to contribute to this historic moment.

“It’s an absolute privilege,” says Wear, reflecting on his 15-year journey at NASA. Throughout his career, he has been a part of groundbreaking projects, but nothing compares to being involved with Artemis II. The mission represents the next giant leap for space exploration and humanity’s desire to explore beyond Earth. "I have not stopped learning," Wear shares, emphasizing how rewarding it has been to continually grow at NASA and be part of such impactful work.

The Artemis II mission is packed with stakes and ambition, as the astronauts traveling aboard Orion—the spacecraft that will take them around the Moon—bring us closer to eventually landing humans on the lunar surface again. For Wear and the teams at Stennis Space Center, the main focus is ensuring the rocket engines for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) are rigorously tested and mission-ready. These engines fuel the dreams of returning to the Moon, making them a critical piece in this ambitious project.

Richard Wear and his colleagues contribute daily to making space exploration history. The Stennis Space Center is playing a pivotal role, serving as NASA's primary site for testing the engines that will power the Artemis missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. For scientists like Wear, every successful test is a step closer to engraving humanity's mark deeper into the cosmos.

“It’s inspiring to know the work we do here is helping humans explore other worlds,” Wear says. This mission isn't just a technical feat; it's a reminder of what humankind can achieve through innovation, collaboration, and perseverance. For Wear, and for all those at NASA, this era is nothing short of extraordinary.

As Artemis II prepares to soar, Wear’s story symbolizes the dedication and passion fueling this new chapter of Moon exploration. His words and work echo the collective dream of reaching beyond our planet, reigniting the spirit of exploration that defined the Apollo era. Those dreams, it seems, are no longer the stuff of science fiction—they’re becoming reality once more, thanks to people like Richard Wear.