Sending People Into Space: An Astronaut, Scientist and Journalist Debate

Four participants — an astronaut, an astrobiologist and two Opinion editors — discuss Artemis II, lunar geology and the scientific, economic and geopolitical questions around returning humans to the moon.

NASA's Artemis II crew is set to fly by the moon on Monday, marking the first human deep-space trip since the 1970s and serving as a test of systems needed for later lunar landings. Stephen Stromberg convened a conversation with Kate Rubins, a former astronaut; David Grinspoon, an astrobiologist; and Neel Patel, a science editor, to explore why humans should return to the moon and what that future might look like. The discussion touches on science, inspiration, commercial roles and geopolitical concerns. The exchange has been edited for clarity and length. Key points: - Artemis II is described as a test flight to assess hardware and procedures ahead of future lunar landings and will pass by the far side of the moon. - The far side has a thicker crust and fewer ancient lava plains, and it likely preserves older geological and possibly Earth-related material valuable to scientists. - Participants include Kate Rubins (astronaut), David Grinspoon (astrobiologist) and Neel Patel and Stephen Stromberg (Opinion editors), who offer differing emphases on science, inspiration and policy. - Views diverge on priorities: Grinspoon emphasizes robotic science and questions short-term economic motives; Rubins highlights inspiration, international cooperation (61 signatories to the Artemis Accords) and building infrastructure; Patel raises questions about sustainability, commercial roles and geopolitical aims. - The panel discusses potential lunar resources such as water ice and Helium-3 but notes that economic viability and scalable extraction remain unproven. Summary: The conversation frames Artemis II as a near-term test that will inform later human landings and scientific work on the moon. The panel agrees the moon offers unique scientific records and training for deeper space, while broader outcomes — including economic feasibility, international cooperation and long-term goals for human presence — remain undetermined.