I woke up this morning, stepped outside and caught myself looking with renewed fondness at the moon.

Imagine that. Earth’s lone moon once more has become the subject of scientists’ curiosity. NASA has sent a spaceship hurtling toward the moon. It will get there in a day or so, circle the celestial body, take lots of pictures of its dark side and then come back to Earth.

Artemis II will make the farthest journey from Earth in space travel history as it sling-shots around the moon. I am acutely aware that the three Americans and one Canadian aboard the ship are prepping for a much grander mission: establishing a moon settlement and then prepare for a much longer journey to Mars.

This initial return to the moon in 54 years is good enough for me. It thrills me greatly to see NASA back in the business of sending Americans into deep space.

As of the past few days, the moon doesn’t look so far away.