The Guardian view on Artemis II: the light and dark sides of the moon
NASA's Artemis II mission completed a historic lunar flyby, setting distance records and capturing detailed imagery of the moon's surface. The crew is returning to Earth after successfully executing the first crewed moon mission in over five decades. The mission has generated significant media coverage across the political spectrum, though outlets emphasize different aspects of the achievement.
Left-leaning sources highlight human interest elements and technical achievements, including crew members' emotional moments, personal tributes, and mission milestones. Coverage tends to focus on the scientific accomplishment and poignant personal stories from astronauts during the journey.
Center outlets provide straightforward reporting on mission progress, technical details, and factual achievements like distance records and lunar observations. Coverage emphasizes the historical significance of returning to deep-space exploration and potential economic implications of lunar activity.
Right-leaning sources frame the mission as a demonstration of American capability and exceptionalism, with some outlets emphasizing religious or spiritual dimensions of space exploration. Coverage celebrates the technical achievement while some outlets highlight cultural or faith-based perspectives on the mission.
Key Differences
- Left outlets emphasize emotional and human-interest narratives (crew proposals, tributes), while right outlets focus on American exceptionalism and spiritual significance
- Right-leaning sources incorporate religious framing about divine creation and purpose, a perspective largely absent from left and center coverage
- Center coverage maintains focus on technical facts and economic implications, avoiding the cultural and spiritual interpretations present on both left and right
Left(10)
The GuardianAApr 7, 5:46 PM
The Guardian view on Artemis II: the light and dark sides of the moon | Editorial
The threat posed by a new space race is real. But so is the wonder of humankind’s reaching for the skies “Everything we need, Earth provides. And that is somewhat of a miracle, and one that you can’t
CBS NewsBApr 8, 1:32 PM
Artemis II crew headed back to Earth
The Artemis II crew is headed back to Earth after breaking records in space on its way to the moon. CBS News' Mark Strassmann reports.
The AtlanticAApr 7, 1:37 PM
Moon Joy: Photos From Artemis II
On April 6, 2026, four astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft, Integrity, swung around the far side of the moon, traveling farther from the Earth than any humans had ever gone before, and taking sp
NBC NewsBApr 7, 6:31 PM
Artemis II crew tearfully proposes to name moon crater after astronaut's late wife
The crew of NASA's historic Artemis II mission memorialized the late wife of one of its astronauts by proposing to name a crater on the moon after her, an emotional moment captured on NASA's livestrea
The New RepublicBApr 7, 1:03 PM
Trump Call to Artemis II Astronauts Hit With Longest Awkward Silence
President Trump reached out to the crew of the Artemis II spacecraft Monday night, but ended up having a call that was so awkward it quickly went viral. “America is a frontier nation, and the four br
The AtlanticAApr 7, 8:54 PM
The Most Beautiful Moment of the Artemis II Mission
It’s all in a name.
SalonCApr 7, 4:06 PM
How to love the moon mission without guilt
Problems down on Earth are serious. Spending some time looking up isn’t a waste or distraction
HuffPostCApr 7, 12:36 AM
Artemis II Crew Asks To Name Lunar Crater For Astronaut’s Late Wife
"...It’s a bright spot on the moon. And we would like to call it ‘Carroll,’” one crew member said.
LA TimesAApr 1, 5:13 PM
NASA will attempt to launch astronauts to the moon today. What to know and how to watch
Live coverage for NASA's Artemis II mission is underway. The mission aims to send humans to the moon for the first time in a half-century.
The GuardianAApr 8, 1:50 PM
What does the dark side of the moon sound like? Nasa’s sonifications are helping us imagine
As Artemis II returns from the dark side of the moon, Nasa’s transformations of electromagnetic energy into sound remind us that everything is vibrating – even while the astronauts are listening to Ch
Center(9)
AxiosAApr 6, 6:01 PM
Artemis II just set a new distance-from-Earth record
Artemis II's four astronauts have officially gone where no one has gone before, setting on Monday a new distance-from-Earth record for human spaceflight. Why it matters: Artemis II broke Apollo 13's 2
AxiosAApr 3, 3:19 PM
PHOTO: See Earth from Artemis II's POV
NASA just posted one of the first photos from Artemis II, capturing "Spaceship Earth" in all its blue-and-white glory. In the photo, taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman: Two auroras (top right an
The HillBApr 7, 7:30 PM
Watch live: NASA details progress on Artemis II’s historic moon flyby
NASA officials will provide an update on the Artemis II mission Tuesday afternoon, as the crew is expected to return to Earth on Friday. The 10-day mission, launched last Wednesday, marked the first c
PBS NewsHourAApr 7, 10:41 PM
Artemis II astronauts make long-distance call to space station on the way home from the moon
Still aglow from their triumphant lunar flyby, the Artemis II astronauts made more history Tuesday: calling their friends aboard the International Space Station hundreds of thousands of miles away as
AxiosAApr 2, 1:15 AM
Artemis II successfully launches for historic Moon mission
NASA's Artemis II Moon mission successfully launched from Florida's John F. Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday afternoon at 6:35pm ET. Why it matters: Artemis II's planned crewed lunar flyby is set to
Associated PressAApr 1, 5:35 PM
NASA's to begin first moon mission in 53 years Wednesday - Northern News Now
NASA's to begin first moon mission in 53 years Wednesday Northern News Now
The HillBApr 8, 2:14 PM
What did astronauts observe during the Artemis II lunar flyby?
The crew of four astronauts is on the way back to Earth after traveling farther into space than any humans in history.
Christian Science MonitorAApr 7, 9:00 AM
Artemis II reignites deep-space travel. Will it also boost a lunar economy?
The Artemis II crew made history Monday, reaching the farthest distance humans have ever traveled from Earth. NASA and its commercial partners aim to also pioneer a new space economy through the Artem
USA TodayBApr 2, 9:05 PM
How much more elbow room does Artemis II's Orion have than Apollo? - USA Today
How much more elbow room does Artemis II's Orion have than Apollo? USA Today
Right(10)
RealClearPoliticsBApr 8, 11:41 AM
Artemis II: The Light and Dark Sides of the Moon
National ReviewBApr 8, 10:30 AM
From the Earth to the Moon, and Back Again
The successful launch of Artemis II marks a moment of great hope.
The BlazeCApr 7, 3:20 PM
PHOTOS: See the first up-close images from Artemis II's flyby of the moon
Artemis II made history on Monday night as it flew around the moon in the farthest manned flight from the Earth. On Tuesday morning, NASA released some stunning photos from the historic flyby. 'On t
The FederalistCApr 7, 7:18 PM
Artemis II Mission Shows There Are No Limits To American Exceptionalism
Pushing the boundaries of what was once thought to be impossible is a hallmark of American greatness. And the recent mission to circle the moon is no different. The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission s
TownhallDApr 8, 2:00 AM
Reddit Wasn't Happy That the Gospel Was Proclaimed on the Artemis II Mission
Fox NewsCApr 8, 1:00 PM
The Artemis II mission reveals glory of God — not science-based atheism
Discoveries in physics, astronomy and biology — from the Big Bang to DNA code — challenge science-based atheism and point to evidence of a cosmic plan.
Daily WireCApr 7, 2:15 PM
SEE IT: NASA Releases Stunning Photos From Lunar Flyby
NASA released 22 photos taken on Monday during the historic lunar flyby by Artemis II, revealing stunning views of the Moon and the crew at work. The photos were taken after Artemis II commander Reid
The Western JournalDApr 7, 7:31 PM
NASA Astronauts Share Incredible Images of the Moon
Astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shared stunning images of the moon during their Artemis II mission Monday, with several high-profile accounts resharing them on social
The BlazeCApr 7, 5:15 PM
NASA's Victor Glover shares gospel as he circles dark side of the moon: 'Love God with all that you are'
NASA's Artemis II pilot found time to speak about Christ and Christianity before circumnavigating the moon on Monday. Before Victor Glover and his fellow crew members traversed the dark side of the mo
PJ MediaDApr 8, 1:16 PM
Jim Lovell’s Final Message to Artemis II Passed Apollo’s Torch to a New Generation
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